Background
Transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFRC) belongs to the peptidase M28 family that is synthesized as a 172 amino acid (aa). TFRC regulated by cellular iron levels through binding of the iron regulatory proteins, IRP1 and IRP2, to iron-responsive elements in the 3'-UTR. It binds one transferrin or HFE molecule per subunit and binds the HLA class II histocompatibility antigen, DR1. It Interacts with SH3BP3 and STEAP3, facilitates TFRC endocytosis in erythroid precursor cells. 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. A second ligand, the heditary hemochromatosis protein HFE, competes for binding with transferrin for an overlapping C-terminal binding site. It positively regulates T and B cell proliferation through iron uptake.
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