What does the transferrin receptor do?

What does the transferrin receptor do?

Transferrin receptor (TfR) is a membrane receptor involved in the control of iron supply to the cell through the binding of transferrin, the major iron-carrier protein.

Where is apotransferrin formed?

the liver
Plasma apotransferrin is synthesized predominantly in the liver. It exists in the plasma in the iron-free form or as monoferric or diferric transferrin since iron loading at each binding site is a random process.

Which form of iron binds with apotransferrin?

Plasma iron is bound to apotransferrin, a beta globulin that can maximally bind two atoms of ferric iron per molecule.

What does high transferrin receptor mean?

What does the test result mean? The level of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) will be increased with iron deficiency. If you have anemia and your sTfR level is elevated, then it is likely that you have iron deficiency anemia.

Is ferritin and transferrin the same thing?

Transferrin is the main iron transporting protein in the circulation. Ferritin concentrations reflect the body’s iron stores.

What causes low transferrin levels?

Low transferrin can be due to poor production of transferrin by the liver (where it’s made) or excessive loss of transferrin through the kidneys into the urine. Many conditions including infection and malignancy can depress transferrin levels. The transferrin is abnormally high in iron deficiency anemia.

Why does iron deficiency cause transferrin?

When your body’s stores of iron run low, your liver produces more transferrin to get more iron into your blood. Iron plays many important roles in your body, including helping your red blood cells carry oxygen to the cells in your body. Nearly all the iron in your body is normally attached to transferrin.

Does transferrin bind to ferritin?

Such a binding inhibits translation of ferritin mRNA and stabilizes the mRNA for transferrin receptors. The opposite scenario develops when iron in the transit pool is plentiful.

What are the stages of iron deficiency anemia?

Stage 1 – Storage Depletion – Lower than expected blood ferritin levels. Ferritin is the storage form of iron, and low ferritin levels are the first sign that the body’s iron stores are compromised. Stage 2 – Mild Deficiency- During the second stage of iron deficiency, transport iron ( known as transferrin) decreases.

What does low transferrin indicate?

Low transferrin in plasma indicates iron overload, which means the binding site of transferrin is highly saturated with iron. Iron overload suggests hemochromatosis, which will lead to the deposition of iron on tissues.

What causes low transferrin?

What happens to transferrin in iron deficiency?

The amount of transferrin in the blood indicates the amount of iron in the body. High transferrin signifies low iron, which means there is less iron bound to transferrin, allowing for a high circulation of non-bound iron transferrin in the body, revealing a possible iron deficiency anemia.

What are symptoms of low transferrin?

These may include:

• Joint pain.
• Fatigue, weakness.
• Weight loss.
• Lack of energy.
• Abdominal pain.
• Loss of sex drive.
• Organ damage, such as in the heart and/or liver.