Chromosome 3q (22-ter) encodes the human transferrin receptor

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• The human transferrin receptor (TfR) is a crucial membrane glycoprotein involved in iron uptake.
• Understanding the genetic basis of TfR is essential for cellular iron homeostasis research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the chromosomal location of the human transferrin receptor gene.
• To map the human TfR gene regionally on its respective chromosome.

Main Methods:

• Screening a panel of Chinese hamster-human somatic cell hybrids using a cytotoxicity assay with anti-human TfR antiserum.
• Selecting serum-resistant segregants from TfR-positive hybrids.
• Confirming gene synteny using 125I human transferrin binding studies.
• Analyzing hybrids with translocated or deleted chromosome 3 for regional mapping.

Main Results:

• Chromosome 3 showed the highest concordance with the presence of the human transferrin receptor.
• Selected segregants consistently lost chromosome 3.
• 125I human transferrin binding confirmed synteny between the TfR and chromosome 3.
• Regional mapping of the human TfR gene was localized to 3q(22-ter).

Conclusions:

• The human transferrin receptor gene is located on chromosome 3.
• The functional human transferrin receptor is syntenic with chromosome 3.
• The gene's regional location is identified as 3q(22-ter).