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Guinea pig and human red cell hemolysates release iron from transferrin
The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine
|May 1, 1985
Summary
Iron is released from transferrin in red blood cells via an unclear mechanism. Red cell hemolysates, containing phosphatases, show activity in releasing iron from transferrin at physiological and acidic pH.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Hematology
Background:
- Iron is essential for red blood cell function.
- Transferrin is the primary iron transport protein.
- Iron release from transferrin within reticulocytes is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of iron release from transferrin in reticulocytes.
- To identify factors responsible for iron release at neutral and acidic pH.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of red cell hemolysates.
- Molecular sieve chromatography to separate components.
- Assay of iron-releasing activity at different pH values.
- Enzymatic treatment with phosphatases.
Main Results:
- Red cell hemolysates release iron from transferrin at neutral pH.
- The iron-releasing activity comprises high and low molecular weight components.
- Both components' activity is reduced by phosphatases.
- Hemolysate activity accounts for 25% of reticulocyte iron uptake at pH 7 and 100% at pH 5.5.
Conclusions:
- A non-acidification mechanism involving hemolysate components likely mediates iron release from transferrin in reticulocytes.
- Phosphatase-sensitive factors in red cell hemolysates play a crucial role in iron mobilization.
- This mechanism is significant at both physiological and endosomal pH levels.