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Natural resistance-associated macrophage proteins , also known as metal ion transporters , are a family of metal transport proteins found throughout all domains of life. Taking on an eleven-helix LeuT fold, the Nramp family is a member of the large APC Superfamily of secondary carriers. They transport a variety of transition metals such as manganese, cadmium, and manganese using an alternating access mechanism characteristic of secondary transporters.
The name "natural resistance-associated" macrophage proteins arises from the role in resistance of intracellular bacterial pathogens played by some animal homologs. Several human pathologies may result from defects in Nramp-dependent Fe or Mn transport, including iron overload, neurodegenerative diseases and innate susceptibility to infectious diseases.