Apo-Transferrin human can be supplemented with iron or used to bind free iron present in media. It is also used to transport iron into mammalian cells.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Transferrin is the primary iron binding and cell delivery molecule present in serum. Serum-free cell culture systems require a delivery format for iron. Transferrin is the preferential delivery form of iron because cells process transferrin bound iron in a physiologically appropriate way through transferrin receptors on the cell surface. Human apo-transferrin is a high affinity transferrin that can be used with a wide range of cells types. Apo-transferrin can be loaded with iron prior to use or added directly to an iron containing medium.