title: Effects of cell proliferation on the uptake of transferrin-bound iron by human hepatoma cells.
abstract: The effects of cellular proliferation on the uptake of transferrin-bound iron (Tf-Fe) and expression of transferrin receptor-1 (TfR1) and transferrin receptor-2 (TfR2) were investigated using a human hepatoma (HuH7) cell line stably transfected with TfR1 antisense RNA expression vector to suppress TfR1 expression. At transferrin (Tf) concentrations of 50 nmol/L and 5 micromol/L, when Tf-Fe uptake occurs by the TfR1- and TfR1-independent (NTfR1)-mediated process, respectively, the rate of Fe uptake by proliferating cells was approximately 250% that of stationary cells. The maximum rate of Fe uptake by the TfR1- and NTfR1-mediated process by proliferating cells was increased to 200% and 300% that of stationary cells, respectively. The maximum binding of Tf by both TfR1- and NTfR1-mediated processes by proliferating cells was increased significantly to 160% that of stationary cells. TfR1 and TfR2-alpha protein levels expressed by proliferating cells was observed to be approximately 300% and 200% greater than the stationary cells, respectively. During the proliferating growth phase, expression of TfR1 messenger RNA (mRNA) increased to 300% whereas TfR2-alpha mRNA decreased to 50% that of stationary cells. In conclusion, an increase in Tf-Fe uptake by TfR1-mediated pathway by proliferating cells was associated with increased TfR1 mRNA and protein expression. An increase in Tf-Fe uptake by NTfR1-mediated pathway was correlated with an increase in TfR2-alpha protein expression but not TfR2-alpha mRNA. In conclusion, TfR2-alpha protein is likely to have a role in the mediation of Tf-Fe uptake by the NTfR1 process by HuH7 hepatoma cell in proliferating and stationary stages of growth.
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism*; D002455:Cell Division; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; C503640:TFR2 protein, human; D014168:Transferrin; D007501:Iron