Hemojuvelin (HJV)

Hemojuvelin is transcribed from a gene of 4,265 bp into a full-length transcript with 5 spliced isoforms. The putative full-length protein from the longest transcript is 426 amino acids. Hemojuvelin contains multiple protein motifs consistent with a function as a membrane-bound receptor or secreted polypeptide hormone.

Intraperitoneal injection of BMP6 in mice caused increased hepatic hepcidin mRNA expression and reduced serum iron and transferrin saturation in a dose-dependent manner. Conversely, inhibition of endogenous Bmp6 in mice reduced hepcidin expression and increased serum iron. Andriopoulos et al. (2009) concluded that BMP6 is an HJV ligand and an endogenous regulator of hepcidin expression and iron metabolism.