[4][5][6] Ferritin is the major protein responsible for storing intracellular iron in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

[6] It is abnormally expressed in fetuses of both IVF and ICSI, which may contribute to the increase risk of birth defects in these assisted reproductive technologies.

[8][10] Mutations of the FTL gene cause the rare adult-onset basal ganglia disease also known as neuroferritinopathy.

[13][14] An oxygen molecule acts as the terminal electron acceptor during the oxidation of iron in aerobic metabolism.

In relation to this, the downregulation of FTL expression leads to a decrease in the protein levels of PEN-2.