BioCentury
ARTICLE | Targets & Mechanisms

Pumping iron

A new small molecule for iron deficiency diseases

June 8, 2017 9:45 PM UTC

A natural compound from the Japanese Hinoki tree may hold the answer to iron transport diseases treated inadequately by phlebotomy, chelation therapy or dietary supplements. In Science last month, a University of Illinois-led group reported that the small molecule hinokitiol can replace defective iron transport proteins, and move iron in and out of cells.

The team plans to test the molecule in the clinic, and is generating derivatives both to optimize and better understand its properties...