HFE, the MHC and hemochromatosis:: Paradigm for an extended function for MHC class I

HFE was discovered as the hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) gene. It is located on chromosome 6 (6p21.3), 4Mb telomeric to the HLA-A locus, and its product has a structure similar to MHC class I molecules. HFE encodes two frequent mutations: C282Y and H63D. One of these (C282Y) is resent in a large proportion of Caucasian HH patients. HFE has a tissue distribution compatible with a role in iron absorption (intestine), recycling (macrophages) and transport to the fetus (placenta).