該基因編碼的蛋白是一種膜蛋白，與mhcⅠ類蛋白相似，與beta2微球蛋白（beta2m）相關。認為該蛋白通過調節轉鐵蛋白受體與轉鐵蛋白的相互作用來調節鐵的吸收。鐵儲存障礙，遺傳性血色素沉著癥，是一種隱性遺傳疾病，是由該基因缺陷引起的。至少有9個選擇性剪接的變異已經被描述為這個基因。已發現其他變體，但尚未確定其全長性質。[由RefSeq提供，2008年7月]
The protein encoded by this gene is a membrane protein that is similar to MHC class I-type proteins and associates with beta2-microglobulin (beta2M). It is thought that this protein functions to regulate iron absorption by regulating the interaction of the transferrin receptor with transferrin. The iron storage disorder, hereditary haemochromatosis, is a recessive genetic disorder that results from defects in this gene. At least nine alternatively spliced variants have been described for this gene. Additional variants have been found but their full-length nature has not been determined. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]