Plasma membrane reductase that uses cytoplasmic ascorbate as an electron donor to reduce extracellular Fe(3+) into Fe(2+) . Probably functions in dietary iron absorption at the brush border of duodenal enterocytes by producing Fe(2+), the divalent form of iron that can be transported into enterocytes . It is also able to reduce extracellular monodehydro-L-ascorbate and may be involved in extracellular ascorbate regeneration by erythrocytes in blood . May also act as a ferrireductase in airway epithelial cells (Probable). May also function as a cupric transmembrane reductase (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane, Apical cell membrane
Localized at the brush border of duodenal cells.
Present in erythrocyte membranes (at protein level). Also expressed in respiratory epithelium.