Bioactive Molecules Delivery through Ferritin Nanoparticles: Sum Up of Current Loading Methods.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Ferritin (Ft) is a ubiquitous protein with a unique hollow cage structure.
• It plays a crucial role in iron storage and detoxification across living organisms.
• Its nanoscale size, stability, and production scalability are of significant scientific interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the fundamental structural and functional characteristics of ferritin.
• To summarize methodologies for loading bioactive molecules into the ferritin nanocage.
• To highlight ferritin's potential as a nanocarrier for drug delivery systems.

Main Methods:

• Structural analysis of ferritin's three-dimensional architecture.
• Functional characterization related to iron storage and detoxification.
• Review of techniques for encapsulating various molecules within the ferritin cage.

Main Results:

• Ferritin possesses a stable, hollow nanocage structure suitable for cargo loading.
• Its properties, including nano size and stability, are advantageous for nanocarrier applications.
• Various methods exist for loading diverse bioactive molecules into ferritin.

Conclusions:

• Ferritin's inherent properties make it an attractive candidate for developing novel delivery systems.
• The protein's capacity for functionalization and large-scale production supports its potential in nanomedicine.
• Further research into ferritin-based delivery systems is warranted.