Title

Ultrasound-mediated release of iron from ferritin

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2003

Abstract

We investigated the release of iron from ferritin in aqueous solutions exposed to high-frequency ultrasound (US). Our data suggests that superoxide produced as a result of ultrasonic cavitation acts as a reducing agent, enabling the release of iron from ferritin. We also found that the release of ferritin iron during US exposure is enhanced by the addition of 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. We hypothesize that this quinone is ultrasonically transformed into a semiquinone radical capable of directly and indirectly reducing Fe3+ in ferritin to soluble Fe2+. Our proposed mechanism for the release of iron from ferritin adds new insight to the synergistic effect of quinone-containing cancer drugs with US. © 2003 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology

First Page

1799

Last Page

1803

This document is currently not available here.

COinS