Significance of Transferrin in Iron Delivery to the Brain

Abstract

have a splicing defect in the transferrin gene, resulting in < 1% of the normal plasma levels of transferrin. These results suggest that transferrin-bound iron is responsible for the fraction of iron in the circulation that enters the brain. On the other hand, the iron concentration in the brain of HP mice is approximately three times higher than that in nonmutant mice. It is likely that the management of iron is affected in the brain of HP mice. Brain transferrin may be involved in the management of iron in the brain.