Description
Product Characteristics: Cellular uptake of iron occurs via receptor-mediated endocytosis of ligand-occupied transferrin receptor into specialized endosomes. Endosomal acidification leads to iron release. The apotransferrin-receptor complex is then recycled to the cell surface with a return to neutral pH and the concomitant loss of affinity of apotransferrin for its receptor. Transferrin receptor is necessary for development of erythrocytes and the nervous system (By similarity). A second ligand, the heditary hemochromatosis protein HFE, competes for binding with transferrin for an overlapping C-terminal binding site.
Cellular Localization: Cell membrane, Single-pass type II membrane protein, Melanosome, Transferrin receptor protein 1, serum form: Secreted
Target Information: This gene encodes a cell surface receptor necessary for cellular iron uptake by the process of receptor-mediated endocytosis. This receptor is required for erythropoiesis and neurologic development. Mice that are deficient in this receptor show impaired erythroid development and abnormal iron homeostasis. [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2010]