Transferrin Receptor (CD71) Rabbit Polyclonal Antibody

Function

CD71, also known as the transferrin receptor (TFR), is a type II membrane glycoprotein that exists as a disulfide-linked homodimer of two identical subunits. CD71 binds to two molecules of transferrin and a serum iron-transport protein, and directs the cellular uptake of iron via receptor-mediated endocytosis. CD71 is expressed, typically at high levels, on all proliferating cells, reticulocytes and erythroid precursors. It is not expressed on resting leukocytes, but is upregulated upon activation of lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages. CD71 is also found on most dividing cells and on brain endothelium. A second transferrin receptor, TFR2, also mediates the uptake of transferrin-bound iron. TFR2 is a two-subunit homodimer and is highly expressed in liver as well as in hepatocytes and erythroid precursors. Mutations in the TFR2 gene result in hereditary hemochromatosis type III (HFE3), an iron overloading disorder predominant in Caucasians.

Background References

1. Gao W et al. Transferrin receptor-targeted pH-sensitive micellar system for diminution of drug resistance and targetable delivery in multidrug-resistant breast cancer. Int J Nanomedicine 12:1047-1064 (2017).

2. Ripa R et al. MicroRNA miR-29 controls a compensatory response to limit neuronal iron accumulation during adult life and aging. BMC Biol 15:9 (2017).

Sequence Similarity

Belongs to the peptidase M28 family. M28B subfamily.

Post-translational Modification

N- and O-glycosylated, phosphorylated and palmitoylated. The serum form is only glycosylated.; Proteolytically cleaved on Arg-100 to produce the soluble serum form (sTfR).; Palmitoylated on both Cys-62 and Cys-67. Cys-62 seems to be the major site of palmitoylation.

Subcellular Location

Secreted and Cell membrane. Melanosome.

UNIPROT

SwissProt: P02786 Human

Synonyms