Merck, T1428-5G, apo-Transferrin bovine

General description
apo-Transferrin is an iron-free form of transferrin that is present in circulation.
Application
All cells require iron for the proper uptake of oxygen from their environment. Transferrin, a protein isolated from serum, causes the uptake and transport of iron from culture medium to the cells. This allows proper oxygen uptake and also stimulates growth-related enzyme activity. Iron-saturated transferrin (holo transferrin) is continually recycled after releasing iron and becomes iron-deficient transferrin (apo-transferrin). Choosing which form to use depends upon the culture conditions. In media such as Dulbecco′s Modified Eagle′s Medium/Ham′s Nutrient Mixture F12 (DMEM/F12) that contain high levels of iron salt, using apo-transferrin is preferred.
apo-Transferrin bovine has been used as a component of:
basal medium for culturing bovine mammary epithelial cells
minimum essential medium α (MEM-α) for spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) culture
induction medium for mesenchymal stem cell culture

Biochem/physiol Actions
apo-Transferrin (apoTf) aids in preventing iron accumulation in tissues, especially in non-transfusion dependent β-thalassemia.