Minimizing higher-order aggregation maximizes iron mobilization by small molecules

The natural product hinokitiol mobilizes iron across lipid bilayers at low concentrations and restores hemoglobinization in iron transporter protein-deficient systems. But hinokitiol fails to similarly mobilize iron at higher concentrations, limiting its uses in chemical biology and medicine. Here we show that at higher concentrations, hinokitiol 3 :Fe(III) complexes form large, higher-order aggregates, leading to loss of transmembrane iron mobilization. Guided by this understanding and systematic structure–function studies enabled by modular synthesis, we identified FeM-1269, which minimally aggregates and dose-dependently mobilizes iron across lipid bilayers even at very high concentrations. In contrast to hinokitiol, FeM-1269 is also well-tolerated in animals at high doses for extended periods of time. In a mouse model of anemia of inflammation, FeM-1269 increases serum iron, transferrin saturation, hemoglobin and hematocrit. This rationally developed iron-mobilizing small molecule has enhanced potential as a molecular prosthetic for understanding and potentially treating iron transporter deficiencies. A small-molecule iron mobilizer, FeM-1269, minimally higher-order aggregates in aqueous media and effectively mobilizes iron across a range of concentrations. FeM-1269-promoted iron mobilization restores physiology in animals at well-tolerated doses.