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Transferrin receptors and iron uptake during erythroid cell development
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|May 7, 1982
Summary
Transferrin receptor levels on developing red blood cells increase significantly during maturation, correlating with iron uptake rates. This suggests receptor number is key for iron absorption in erythroid cells.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Hematology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Erythroid cell development involves regulated iron uptake.
- Transferrin receptors mediate cellular iron acquisition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify transferrin receptor levels on immature erythroid cells.
- To determine the rate of transferrin-bound iron uptake during erythroid development.
- To investigate the relationship between receptor expression and iron uptake.
Main Methods:
- Studied developing erythroid cells from rat and mouse fetal liver.
- Examined Friend erythroleukemic cells in culture.
- Measured transferrin receptor levels and iron uptake rates.
Main Results:
- Transferrin receptor levels varied during erythroid maturation, peaking on intermediate normoblasts.
- Friend cells showed receptor levels comparable to mouse fetal erythroid cells.
- Iron uptake rate correlated directly with transferrin receptor number, averaging 36 atoms/receptor/hour.
Conclusions:
- Transferrin receptor expression is a critical determinant of iron uptake during erythroid development.
- The number of transferrin receptors significantly influences the rate of iron acquisition by developing red blood cells.