Into the matrix: regulation of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin by matriptase-2

Matriptase-2 is a recently identified membrane-bound, cell-surface serine protease expressed primarily in liver. Mutations in matriptase-2 in mice and humans cause iron-deficiency anemia that responds poorly to iron therapy. The poor response results from an inability to decrease hepcidin production during iron deficiency. Cell culture studies reveal that matriptase-2 inhibits hepcidin induction by cleaving membrane hemojuvelin, a potent activator of hepcidin transcription. As a novel suppressor of hepcidin expression, matriptase-2 emerges as a possible candidate for therapeutic interventions aimed at treating disorders of iron metabolism.