LCN2 is iron-trafficking protein involved in multiple processes such as apoptosis, innate immunity and renal development. LCN2 binds iron through association with 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHBA), a siderophore that shares structural similarities with bacterial enterobactin, and delivers or removes iron from the cell, depending on the context. LCN2 is involved in apoptosis due to interleukin-3 (IL3) deprivation: iron-loaded form increases intracellular iron concentration without promoting apoptosis, while iron-free form decreases intracellular iron levels, inducing expression of the proapoptotic protein BCL2L11/BIM, resulting in apoptosis. LCN2 is involved in innate immunity, possibly by sequestrating iron, leading to limit bacterial growth.
