Hephaestin Like Protein 1 (HEPHL)

HEPHL, Belongs to the multicopper oxidase family.Contains 6 plastocyanin-like domains.May function as a ferroxidase and may be involved in copper transport and homeostasis.

Hephaestin is involved in the metabolism and homeostasis of iron and possibly copper.It is a transmembrane copper-dependent ferroxidase responsible for transporting dietary iron from intestinal enterocytes into the circulatory system. The highest expression of hephaestin is found in small intestine. It is limited to enterocytes of the villi, being almost absent in crypt cells. Hephaestin converts iron(II) state, Fe²⁺ to iron(III) state, Fe³⁺ and mediates iron efflux most likely in cooperation with the basolateral iron transporter, ferroportin 1.