Transferrin Human
Purity as determined by SDS-PAGE is 97%.
Description
The Recombinant Human Transferrin is purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Product Specs
The purity, as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis, is 97%.
The average Ferric Iron content in our Transferrin product is 0.4-0.5µg per mg of protein. The protein concentration is measured by absorbance at 280 nm.
One mg of Recombinant Human Transferrin has the capacity to bind to approximately 2 micrograms of iron (Fe).
Product Science Overview
Human transferrin is a bilobal glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 76.5 kDa . It consists of two homologous domains, each capable of binding one ferric ion (Fe3+). This ability to reversibly bind iron with high affinity makes transferrin a key player in iron homeostasis. The protein is produced in the liver and circulates in the blood plasma at a concentration of about 2.5 mg/mL .
Transferrin binds iron in the bloodstream and delivers it to cells via the transferrin receptor (TFR) on the cell surface. At physiological pH (7.4), transferrin with bound iron (holo-transferrin) has the highest affinity for TFR . The transferrin-receptor complex is internalized through clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and the acidic environment of the endosome triggers the release of iron from transferrin. The iron-free transferrin (apo-transferrin) is then recycled back to the cell surface to bind more iron .
The production of recombinant human transferrin involves the use of advanced genetic engineering techniques. Initially, prokaryotic and simple eukaryotic expression systems were used, but these approaches faced challenges such as low expression levels and nonfunctional protein production . More complex eukaryotic systems, such as Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK) cells, have been employed to overcome these issues and produce functional recombinant transferrin .
Recombinant human transferrin is typically produced in HEK293 cells, which are human embryonic kidney cells. The recombinant protein is purified to ensure high purity and functionality. It is often used in cell culture media to support cell growth and proliferation, especially in serum-free conditions .
Recombinant human transferrin has several important applications:
- Cell Culture: It is a critical component of serum-free cell culture media, providing essential iron for cell growth and proliferation .
- Research: It is used in various biochemical and biophysical studies to understand iron metabolism and related disorders.
- Therapeutics: Recombinant transferrin is being explored for therapeutic applications, including the treatment of iron deficiency and anemia.
