A Review of Literature on Transferrin: Deciphering its Complex Mechanism in Cellular Iron Regulation and Clinical Implications

Abstract

Iron is a crucial constituent in cellular metabolism, playing a pivotal role in numerous enzymatic activities that are required for the maintenance of life. However, the lack of regulation in iron levels can lead to cellular damage through the Fenton reaction, which produces reactive oxygen species. Transferrin which is a glycoprotein functions crucially in contributing significantly to the movement of iron in biological systems. The polypeptide chain of transferrin, which is made of 700 amino acids, has a crucial role in iron binding and delivery. Transferrin has different N and C lobes that contribute to its exceptional attributes. In this paper, we looked at several aspects of transferrin which were explored, especially its diverse forms, characteristic structures, synthesis mechanisms, and metabolic functions. Various proteins, including lactoferrin, melanotransferrin, serum transferrin, and ovotransferrin, take part in regulating the transportation of iron and the prevention of iron homeostasis in vertebrates. We also explored the role of transferrin in various metabolic processes, which includes its activation of macrophages, antimicrobial attributes, and participation in immunological responses. A detailed assessment of the chemical attributes of transferrin provides useful information about its amino acid constituent, arrangement, and bonds with a broad spectrum of metal ions. This paper delves into taking part in scholarly reviews that address the therapeutic relevance of transferrin, stressing its function as a marker for diagnosing iron deficiency as well as its implications in health conditions such as hemochromatosis and atransferrinemia. This detailed assessment of transferrin that this paper presents makes a renowned development in how we understand its complex mechanisms, thus enhancing how we comprehend iron regulations in cells and how it implies both health and disease.

Keywords: Glycoprotein, enzymatic activities, complex mechanism, cellular metabolism