May serve to import iron into the mitochondria (By similarity). Important in metal transport, in particular iron. Can also transport zinc, manganese, cobalt, cadmium, copper, nickel and lead. Involved in apical iron uptake into duodenal enterocytes. Involved in iron transport from acidified endosomes into the cytoplasm of erythroid precursor cells. May play an important role in hepatic iron accumulation and tissue iron distribution. Forms a complex with NDFIP1 and NEDD4L, in cortical neurons, in response to iron and colbalt exposure; this interaction leads to ubiquitination by NEDD4L and proteasome-dependent degradation. Interacts with NDFIP2. Interacts with COX2 and TOM6 at the outer mitochondrion membrane. Interacts with ARRDC1; controls the incorporation of SLC11A2 into extracellular vesicles through an ubiquitination-dependent mechanism. Interacts with ARRDC4; controls the incorporation of SLC11A2 into extracellular vesicles through an ubiquitination-dependent mechanism. Also found in extracellular vesicles different from exosomes. Ubiquitous. Ubiquitinated by WWP2. N-glycosylated. Defects in Slc11a2 are the cause of microcytic anemia (Belgrade or b). Homozygous b/b rats have hypochromic microcytic anemia due to severe defects in intestinal iron absorption and erythroid iron utilization. Belongs to the NRAMP family.