Melanotransferrin (MTf) (MTf)

Melanotransferrin (MTf), also known as CD228 or p97, is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane glycoprotein that belongs to the transferrin family of iron-binding proteins (UniProt P08582). While it shares significant structural homology with serum transferrin and lactoferrin, it is primarily localized to the cell surface and exists in a soluble form in much lower concentrations (PMID: 7022587). MTf is highly overexpressed in malignant melanoma cells compared to normal melanocytes and other healthy tissues, making it a classic melanoma-associated antigen (PMID: 15150595). Functionally, it plays a critical role in promoting tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and it is involved in the activation of plasminogen on the cell surface (PMID: 11533010). In the context of drug development, MTf has been targeted using monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to deliver cytotoxic payloads directly to tumor cells (PMID: 25639140). Additionally, its presence in the brain and association with amyloid plaques has led to investigations into its role in Alzheimer's disease and its potential as a shuttle for blood-brain barrier crossing (PMID: 10836333).

Other names

CD228Melanoma-associated antigen p97MFI2MAP97Melanoma-associated antigen antigen p97

Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) mediated delivery of cytotoxic agents; Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC); Inhibition of tumor cell migration and invasion through antibody-mediated neutralization.