CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS — Scientists have discovered that the hinokitiol molecule restores iron transport in cells with missing or defective transporter proteins.

A study published in the journal Science has called the treatment technique “molecular prosthetics” because the molecule, extracted from Japanese hinoki trees, takes over the function of the missing or defective iron transporter.

Transporters allow iron to enter cells, where it is needed to make hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen to the body. A missing or defective iron transporter means that iron cannot cross the cell membrane, leading to iron deficiency.

This lack of iron reduces hemoglobin production and red blood cell count, which leads to decreased oxygen levels in the body. To compensate, the heart has to pump blood faster.

But with a trio of hinokitiol molecules, the function of the missing or defective iron transporter is restored. The polar ends bind to iron while the nonpolar ends create a shield, allowing it to cross the cell membrane. Once across the cell membrane, the trio of hinokitiol releases the iron, making it available for the cell to make normal levels of hemoglobin.

Hinokitiol has been tested successfully on animals with missing or defective iron transporters. The molecule promoted iron uptake in the guts of mice and restored hemoglobin production in zebrafish.

In future studies, scientists hope to develop drugs similar to hinokitiol to treat other diseases caused by missing or defective transporter proteins, such as cystic fibrosis and lupus.