Recombinant Transferrin Proteins

Iron is essential for life. It fuels metabolic processes, supports immune health, and helps cells grow and function properly. But too much free iron in the body can be harmful. That’s where transferrin steps in—a vital protein responsible for binding and transporting iron throughout the bloodstream. At Beta LifeScience, we offer high-purity recombinant human transferrin proteins designed for advanced research in iron metabolism, drug delivery, stem cell culture, and biomedical studies.

Whether you're studying iron homeostasis, cell development, or targeting the recombinant transferrin receptor pathway for drug delivery, our ready-to-ship proteins are engineered for consistency, stability, and biological relevance.

What Is Transferrin and Why Is It Important?

Transferrin is a glycoprotein produced primarily in the liver. Its main function is to bind ferric iron (Fe³⁺) and deliver it safely to cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Once bound to iron, transferrin forms a complex that interacts with the transferrin receptor (TfR) on the cell surface, facilitating iron uptake while preventing toxicity from free iron in the bloodstream.

In humans, this tightly regulated system ensures that iron remains available for processes like DNA synthesis, oxygen transport, and immune function—while minimizing the risks of oxidative damage. The recombinant transferrin receptor plays a crucial role in this system by guiding transferrin-bound iron into cells, especially those with high iron demands such as rapidly dividing cells, cancer cells, and developing stem cells.

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Applications of Recombinant Human Transferrin in Research

Our recombinant human transferrin proteins are bioactive and ready to support a wide range of research needs. These are just a few ways researchers are using recombinant transferrin in the lab:

• Cell Culture and Serum-Free Media: Human recombinant transferrin is widely used in serum-free or chemically defined media for culturing mammalian cells, including stem cells. It provides a safe and consistent source of iron without the variability of serum-derived proteins.
• Drug Delivery and Nanoparticle Research: Due to the overexpression of transferrin receptors on many tumor cells, transferrin is a useful tool for targeted drug delivery. Researchers often use it to design nanoparticles or conjugated systems that seek out cancer cells for precise treatment.
• Neuroscience Studies: The brain has high iron needs, and human recombinant transferrin is often studied in relation to neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Its role in regulating iron availability across the blood-brain barrier is a growing area of interest.
• Iron Metabolism and Deficiency Models: Transferrin is an essential marker and tool in studies on anemia, hemochromatosis, and iron overload. Recombinant versions offer controlled, reliable inputs for these studies.
• Stem Cell Research: Transferrin supports the proliferation and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. In combination with growth factors such as those found in our Growth Factor Protein Collection, it helps create optimized conditions for regenerative medicine research.

Why Choose Recombinant Transferrin?

Traditional transferrin used in lab settings has historically been derived from plasma. However, this method can introduce variability, potential contaminants, and batch inconsistency. Recombinant transferrin, on the other hand, is produced using recombinant DNA technology in systems such as yeast or mammalian cells. This ensures high purity, uniformity, and safety.

At Beta LifeScience, our recombinant human transferrin proteins are manufactured under strict quality controls. They are:

• Highly Pure: Validated for over 95% purity using SDS-PAGE and HPLC
• Functionally Active: Retains the natural ability to bind ferric ions and interact with recombinant transferrin receptors
• Consistent and Scalable: Manufactured using reliable recombinant expression systems
• Animal-Free: Ideal for researchers aiming to reduce animal-derived components in experiments

You can also explore our In-Stock Recombinant Proteins for immediate delivery options to meet urgent experimental timelines.

Understanding Transferrin Receptors and Their Role

The transferrin receptor (TfR1) is a membrane-bound protein found on the surface of most cells, particularly in tissues with high iron requirements. In cancer cells, this receptor is often overexpressed—making it a popular target in oncology research. By using recombinant transferrin tagged with drugs or imaging agents, researchers can track or deliver treatments selectively to tumor sites.

Furthermore, the recombinant transferrin receptor can also be used in co-culture systems or cell models to explore the mechanics of iron uptake and recycling. Combining both transferrin and its receptor in experimental models allows for deeper insight into cellular iron trafficking and how it may be disrupted in disease.

Benefits of Beta LifeScience Recombinant Transferrin

Our recombinant human transferrin proteins are tailored for researchers who need fast, reliable, and scalable tools to advance their work. Here’s what makes Beta LifeScience a trusted partner:

• Batch-to-Batch Consistency: Every lot is produced under the same rigorous conditions for reproducible results.
• Optimized Bioactivity: Designed to mimic the natural behavior of transferrin in human systems.
• Multiple Species Available: In addition to human, we also offer other species-specific options to support a wide range of models.
• Secure and Fast Shipping: All proteins are available for overnight delivery across regions.

You’ll also find value in pairing our transferrin products with options from our Interleukins Protein Collection or Phycobiliproteins for multi-pathway studies involving immune response and fluorescence-based tracking.

Supporting Research in Iron Homeostasis and Beyond

Iron regulation is one of the most tightly controlled processes in the human body. From supporting cell division to enabling oxygen transport and enzymatic reactions, iron is fundamental to nearly every biological system. However, it’s not just a basic nutrient—iron’s role in health and disease has made it a central focus in modern biomedical research.

At Beta LifeScience, we provide high-quality human recombinant transferrin proteins to support scientists investigating the complex dynamics of iron metabolism. Our proteins are used in advanced research areas such as:

• Cancer Biology: Many tumors exhibit an increased need for iron, often through the overexpression of transferrin receptors. This makes the transferrin pathway a valuable target for both diagnostics and therapeutic interventions. Our recombinant transferrin helps researchers design targeted drug delivery systems and explore iron’s role in tumor progression.
• Neurodegenerative Diseases: The brain requires tightly regulated iron levels for neurotransmitter synthesis and myelination. Imbalances have been linked to disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease. Recombinant transferrin proteins support studies aimed at understanding iron’s influence on neural health and its potential as a biomarker or therapeutic target.
• Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine: In stem cell culture, maintaining precise control over nutrients and growth factors is essential. Recombinant human transferrin provides a clean, animal-free source of iron that supports proliferation and differentiation in serum-free systems, helping researchers generate high-quality cell lines for therapy development.
• Immunology: Iron availability directly impacts immune cell activation, cytokine production, and pathogen resistance. Studying the effects of transferrin on immune pathways can provide insights into autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation.
• Hematology and Anemia Research: As a major player in iron transport, transferrin is key in understanding iron-deficiency anemia, iron overload disorders, and erythropoiesis. Our proteins offer a consistent platform for exploring new treatment strategies and diagnostic markers.

To further enhance these studies, researchers often combine recombinant human transferrin with other bioactive proteins available from our catalog. For instance, pairing with BMP proteins or Noggin proteins helps mimic complex signaling environments found in vivo, particularly in developmental biology and stem cell systems.

Together, these components create more physiologically relevant experimental models, allowing researchers to uncover mechanisms faster, validate therapeutic targets more accurately, and ultimately bring discoveries closer to clinical translation. Whether you're studying cellular iron uptake or building intricate disease models, Beta LifeScience delivers the tools to keep your research moving forward.

Trusted Tools for Confident Research

Choosing the right protein matters. Poor quality or inconsistent proteins can compromise your results and waste valuable time. That’s why Beta LifeScience is committed to delivering verified, ready-to-use recombinant transferrin proteins that give you confidence in every experiment.

Explore our catalog today and accelerate your research with recombinant human transferrin proteins trusted by scientists worldwide. Whether you’re investigating basic biology or building the next generation of targeted therapies, we’re here to support your discovery.