Interaction of rat asialotransferrin with adult rat hepatocytes: its relevance for iron uptake and protein degradation

Antisense suppression of transferrin receptor gene expression in a human hepatoma cell (HuH-7) line

A recombinant plasmid carrying human transferrin receptor cDNA in reverse orientation downstream from the human cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter/enhancer element was introduced into the HuH-7 human hepatoma cell line by lipofection. Cell surface transferrin binding and iron uptake from transferrin each decreased by about 50% in stable transfectants bearing integrated antisense DNA expression vector. Northern blot analysis indicated that the abundance of target transferrin receptor message was not altered by antisense RNA. These results suggest that the antisense transcript interferes with expression of the endogenous transferrin receptor gene at the level of translation.

Entry of iron into cells: a new role for the transferrin receptor in modulating iron release from transferrin

The versatile chemistry of iron and the noxious reactions this essential metal may promote have compelled iron-dependent organisms to form specific iron-binding proteins to maintain iron in soluble, nontoxic, and accessible form for cellular needs. A variety of pathways can be traversed by iron to gain access to cells, some available to all cells, others restricted to specialized cells. Of these pathways, the most important and widely functioning is uptake of iron from transferrin in a receptor-mediated process. By regulating expression of the transferrin receptor, iron-dependent cells, including neurons, can be assured an adequate supply of the essential metal while guarding against toxic excess. However, the transferrin receptor functions not only in capturing iron-bearing transferrin, but also in restraining release of iron from transferrin at the cell surface, where iron-catalyzed lipid peroxidation is a threat, while facilitating iron release in acidified endosomes to ensure safe and efficient delivery to the cell.

Relationship between pinocytic rate and uptake of transferrin by suspended rat hepatocytes

The aim of this study was to compare quantitatively the capacity to transcytose (i.e. to uptake and release) transferrin (Tf) with the pinocytic activity of suspended adult rat hepatocytes. An oligodisperse preparation of 131I-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP; Mr 36,000) was used to measure the inward and outward aspects of the pinocytic process in separate experiments. Cell association of rat 125I-Tf was measured at Tf concentrations approaching physiological, where 59Fe uptake obeyed first-order kinetics. Release studies with both PVP and Tf were carried out under conditions which minimized the probability of de novo endocytosis of a molecule already released. Sets of experimental points representing cell-associated radioactivities were converted into continuous algebraic functions by fitting with two-term (release studies) or three-term (uptake studies) exponential equations. Transport of PVP and Tf through the cells was computed from these equations by deconvolution. This analysis showed that, under the present experimental conditions, the fractional transcytosis rates of Tf and PVP by hepatocytes were in the ratio of 1:0.77. These values imply that, in the physiological range of Tf concentrations, about 75% of the Fe taken up by hepatocytes may be due to a pinocytic mechanism (fluid-phase or mixed). Inclusion of chloroquine (1 mM) in the suspending medium, both in uptake and release experiments, resulted in more PVP and Tf passing through the cells, while Fe uptake was reduced. It is suggested that the base probably exerted its enhancing effect on transcytosis by shunting the subcellular transport of PVP and Tf to the outward leg through a shorter circuit.

Specificity of hepatic iron uptake from plasma transferrin in the rat

1. The role of specific interaction between transferrin and its receptors in iron uptake by the liver in vivo was investigated using 59Fe-125I-labelled transferrins from several animal species, and adult and 15-day rats. Transferrin-free hepatic uptake of 59Fe was measured 2 or 0.5 hr after intravenous injection of the transferrins. 2. Rat, rabbit and human transferrins gave high and approximately equal levels of hepatic iron uptake while transferrins from a marsupial (Sentonix brachyurus), lizard, crocodile, toad and fish gave very low uptake values. Chicken ovotransferrin resulted in higher uptake than with any other species of transferrin. 3. Iron uptake by the femurs (as a sample of bone marrow erythroid tissue) and, in another group of 19-day pregnant animals by the placentas and fetuses, was also measured, for comparison with the liver results. The pattern of uptake from the different transferrins was found to be similar to that of iron uptake by the liver except that with femurs, placentas and fetuses ovotransferrin gave low values comparable to those of the other non-mammalian species. 4. It is concluded that iron uptake by the liver from plasma transferrin in vivo is largely or completely dependent on specific transferrin-receptor interaction. The high hepatic uptake of iron from ovotransferrin was probably mediated by the asialoglycoprotein receptors on hepatocytes.