β-Amyloid precursor protein does not possess ferroxidase activity but does stabilize the cell surface ferrous iron exporter ferroportin.

Ceruloplasmin is a ferroxidase that interacts with ferroportin to export cellular iron, but is not expressed in neurons. We recently reported that the amyloid precursor protein (APP) is the analogous iron-exporting chaperone for neurons and other cells. The ferroxidase activity of APP has since been called into question. Using a triplex Fe2+ oxidation assay, we analyzed the activity of a soluble form of APP (sAPPα) within a buffer of physiological pH and anionic charge, and determined that iron oxidation originated from phosphate. Using various techniques such as flow-cytometry to measure surface presented proteins, we confirmed that endogenous APP is essential for ferroportin persistence on the neuronal surface. Therefore, despite lacking ferroxidase activity, APP still supports iron export from neurons.