effect on the labile iron pool.

The control over the hepcidin concentration was also measured (Table \[table:MCAHepc\]), as the ability to control hepatic hepcidin levels could provide therapeutic opportunities to control whole system iron metabolism, due to its action on other tissues. Interestingly, in addition to the expression and degradation of hepcidin itself, the expression of HFE and degradation of HFETfR2 complex have almost as much control over hepcidin. The expression of TfR2 has a considerably lower effect, though still significant.

Flux control coefficients were also determined which indicate the control that reactions have on a chosen reaction flux. The flux control coefficients for the ferroportin mediated iron export reaction are given in Table \[table:MCAFlux\]. This reaction is of particular interest as it is the only method of iron export, therefore controlling this reaction rate could be important in treating various iron disorders including haemochromatosis and anemia. The reactions of synthesis and degradation of TfR1, TfR2 and HFE were found to have high control, despite not having direct interactions with ferroportin. TfR1 and TfR2 may show consistently high control due to having dual roles as iron importers and iron sensors which control hepcidin expression.

A drawback of MCA, and any 