It recognizes a ~90-95kDa protein which is identified as cell surface transferrin receptor (CD71), a disulfide-bonded homodimeric glycoprotein of 180-190kDa. This MAb is highly specific to CD71 and shows no cross-reaction with other related proteins. Its epitope is localized in the extracellular domain of CD71. Ligand for transferrin receptor is the serum iron transport protein, transferrin. This receptor is broadly distributed in carcinomas, sarcomas, leukemias, and lymphomas. CD71/Transferrin receptor has been reported to be associated with cell proliferation in both normal and neoplastic tissues and useful in predicting clinical behavior or response to therapy in a number of malignancies including breast cancer.
