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.
[1]"Primary structure of human transferrin receptor deduced from the mRNA sequence."Schneider C., Owen M.J., Banville D., Williams J.G.Nature 311:675-678(1984) [2] "The human transferrin receptor gene: genomic organization, and the co
