Medicinski vjesnik, Vol. 38 No. (1-4), 2006.
Review article
Transferrin in health and disease
Tatjana Belovari
Aleksandar Kibel
Ljiljana Kostović-Knežević
Abstract
Transferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein, secreted by different cells in the body, important in the regulation of iron metabolism and homeostasis, and functioning as a growth factor - both in embryonic development, as well as in tumor growth. It could also be used for drug delivery to certain cells. By interaction with transferrin receptors, and subsequent endocytosis, transferrin is entering cells. After releasing iron, the complex recycles back to the surface. The transferrin/transferrin receptor system is also connected with some disorders, including atransferrinemia, hypotransferrinemia, hereditary hemochromatosis, and probably even neurodegenerative diseases.
Keywords
Transferrin; Transferrin receptor; Iron; Growth factor
Hrčak ID:
191048
URI
Publication date:
1.12.2006.
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