Description
The protein encoded by this gene is an RNA-binding protein that acts to regulate iron levels in the cells by regulating the translation and stability of mRNAs that affect iron homeostasis under conditions when iron is depleted. When iron levels are low, this protein binds to iron-responsive elements (IRES), stem-loop structures located either in the 5′ or 3′ UTRs. Binding to the 5′ UTR represses translation, while binding to the 3′ UTR inhibits mRNA degradation. When iron is found in the cell, this protein is degraded in a F-box and leucine rich repeat protein 5-dependent manner. Variants in this gene have been associated with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms.