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The role of specific transferrin (Tf) and Tf receptor interaction on brain capillary endothelial cells in iron transport from the plasma to the brain was investigated by using Tf from several species of animals labeled with 59Fe and 125I, and 15-day and adult rats. The rate of iron transfer was much greater in the 15-day rats. It was greatest with Tf from the mammals, rat, rabbit and human, but much lower with chicken ovotransferrin and quokka (a marsupial), toad, lizard, crocodile, and fish Tf. The uptake of Tf by the brain showed a similar pattern, except for a very high uptake of ovotransferrin (ovoTf). Iron uptake by the femurs (a source of bone marrow) was also high with Tf from the mammalian species and low with the other types of Tf, but showed little change with aging of the animals. It is concluded that iron transport into the brain is dependent on the function of Tf receptors, probably on capillary endothelial cells, and that these receptors show the same type of species specificity as the receptors on immature erythroid cells. Also, the decrease in iron uptake by the brain as rats age from 15 days to adulthood is specific for the brain and is not a general effect of the aging process.
E M Taylor, and
E H Morgan
January 1987,
Journal of comparative physiology. B, Biochemical, systemic, and environmental physiology,
E M Taylor, and
E H Morgan
May 2008,
Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.),
E M Taylor, and
E H Morgan
August 1977,
Biochimica et biophysica acta,
E M Taylor, and
E H Morgan
October 1992,
Brain research,
E M Taylor, and
E H Morgan
March 1996,
European journal of biochemistry,
E M Taylor, and
E H Morgan
January 1998,
Metal ions in biological systems,
E M Taylor, and
E H Morgan
October 1977,
Annals of the rheumatic diseases,
E M Taylor, and
E H Morgan
October 1990,
The Biochemical journal,
E M Taylor, and
E H Morgan
January 1982,
Acta haematologica,
E M Taylor, and
E H Morgan
May 2003,
Frontiers in bioscience : a journal and virtual library,
