The Arabidopsis thaliana IRON-REGULATED TRANSPORTER 1 (IRT1) is a high-affinity iron (ferrous ion - Fe2+) transporter, essential for the uptake of iron from the soil into the root epidermal layer. The protein belongs to the Zrt/Irt-like protein (ZIP) family of transporters and is involved in cellular metal homeostasis. IRT1 also mediates the uptake of divalent metal ions, including heavy metals, under iron-deficient conditions. The availability of secondary metal ions (e.g. Zn, Co, Mn) control the intracellular location of the protein.

Previous overexpression experiments demonstrated increased levels of iron in transgenic rice and cassava. Loss-of-function mutations lead to lethal chlorotic phenotype.