Description
Transferrin is a monomeric glycoprotein found in plasma at an average concentration of 250 mg/100 ml. The SIDERO form of transferrin is partially iron saturated, also called Siderophilin. The specific iron-binding protein in plasma, it has a role in the transportation and distribution of iron among the body organs, in iron metabolism and prevention of iron loss via the kidneys. Stored in bone marrow as Tf-bound iron, it also possesses bacteriostatic and fungistatic activity. It is an important transport factor used in defined culture media. Clinically, decreases in transferrin are observed in congenital disorders, newborns, inflammatory diseases, hypoproteinemias and nephrotic syndrome; increases are found in pregnancy, iron-deficiency anemias, and inoculation hepatitis. Transferrin is required by all types of cells in cultures for maximal growth