Application

A cationic derivative used to label negatively charged cell membranes for visualization by electron microscopy.

Ferritin, cationized from horse spleen has been used:to incubate amoebae (10⁶) in the study, to determine whether trophozoites are able to take up ferritin and internalise this protein for their growth in axenic cultureto determine phagosome-lysosome fusion by electron microscopyto label freshly excised chick optic tecta in serum free incubation medium

Ferritin is an iron storage protein that plays a central role in iron metabolism, and may be elevated in inflammatory or malignant diseases. It has been used in studies as an indicator of body iron supply, but may prove inaccurate in in the presence of chronic inflammation.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Ferritin holds iron at its ferric state (Fe³⁺). The core of ferritinhas the capability to hold 4500 iron molecules. It is essential to store iron in vertebrates. Ferritinis also essential to store and transport iron in invertebrates. It plays a key role in dietary iron absorption.

General description

Ferritin, an iron-storage protein is usually present in the liver and spleen in mammals. Iron andferritinare distributed relatively same in the eye. Ferritin is made up of heavy and light chains.

Preparation Note

Prepared by coupling horse spleen ferritin with N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine (DMPA).