Serum transferrin (TF)

Serum transferrin is a major iron-binding glycoprotein produced primarily in the liver and secreted into blood plasma[4][7]. It binds two Fe3+ ions with very high affinity and is the principal transporter responsible for delivering iron from absorption and storage sites to tissues, particularly via a specific transferrin receptor-mediated endocytosis pathway[1][2][3][5][7]. Transferrin thus plays a crucial role in systemic iron homeostasis and protection against iron toxicity. It also acts as an acute phase protein, decreasing in typical inflammatory states, and its levels and saturation are key clinical markers for diagnosing iron metabolism disorders such as anemia and hemochromatosis[4][5]. Additionally, transferrin and its receptor are exploited in drug delivery, for example crossing the blood-brain barrier and in targeting tumor cells overexpressing transferrin receptor[4]. Deficiency or dysfunction leads to rare but severe disorders such as atransferrinemia. Multiple molecular and clinical assays quantify transferrin and its modifications for diagnosis and monitoring of disease and therapy[4][5][7].

Other names

SerotransferrinTransferrinSiderophilinBeta-1 metal-binding globulin

Iron chelation (binding of Fe3+ and metal ions), Iron delivery through receptor-mediated endocytosis, Drug delivery via transferrin receptor targeting