Chicken Ovotransferrin ELISA Kit

Supplementary info

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Activity summary

Ovotransferrin also known as conalbumin is a glycoprotein with a molecular mass of approximately 76 kDa. This protein is mainly expressed in avian egg whites but you can find it in other tissues such as the oviduct. Ovotransferrin binds iron ions tightly and transports them throughout the body playing an essential role in iron metabolism and antimicrobial defense. Besides its role in metabolism ovotransferrin has strong antibacterial properties making it an important component in innate immunity.

Biological function summary

Ovotransferrin functions by binding and sequestering free iron in body fluids and tissues. It is not part of a larger protein complex; instead it acts independently to prevent bacterial growth by limiting the availability of iron which is necessary for bacterial proliferation. Ovotransferrin is an important player in maintaining iron homeostasis and its ability to bind iron means it also prevents oxidative stress.

Pathways

Ovotransferrin plays significant roles in iron regulation and immune response pathways. It is closely associated with the transferrin pathway which involves the transport of iron across cell membranes and maintaining iron balance within cells. Ovotransferrin interacts with transferrin receptor proteins during the iron transport process facilitating the uptake of iron into cells. The ferritin protein is another related player in iron metabolism storing iron intracellularly and releasing it when necessary.

Associated diseases and disorders

Iron homeostasis disturbances involving ovotransferrin can lead to disorders such as anemia and hemochromatosis. An imbalance can result in either an iron deficiency or iron overload. Anemia associated with insufficient iron for red blood cell production may involve a dysfunction in ovotransferrin's iron-binding efficiency. On the other hand hemochromatosis characterized by iron accumulation might be linked to dysregulation in the pathway where ovotransferrin plays a role. In these conditions interactions with transferrin can become important in understanding disease mechanisms.