transferrin

noun

trans·​fer·​rin tran(t)s-ˈfer-ən 

: a glycoprotein in blood plasma capable of combining with ferric ions and transporting iron in the body

Examples of transferrin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The blood test checks hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) levels, transferrin, and ferritin. — Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2025

After isolating the stem cells, they were placed in a bath of human blood plasma, insulin, and a solution containing iron and transferrin protein. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023

Her nasal drainage was later analyzed and tested positive for beta-2 transferrin, a marker that’s found almost exclusively in cerebrospinal (aka brain) fluid. — Korin Miller, Health.com, 2 Oct. 2020

The organoid also pumped out standard human liver proteins, including albumin and transferrin. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 22 July 2017

The Genentech researchers engineered one of the arms to seize a receptor that normally snags transferrin. — Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2011

Word History

Etymology

trans- + Latin ferrum "iron" + -in entry 1 — more at farrier

Note: The term was first suggested by Carl G. Holmberg and C.-G. Laurell in "Nature of Serum Copper and its Relation to the Iron-binding Protein in Human Serum," Acta Chemica Scandinavica, vol. 1 (1947), p. 950.

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for transferrin

• acridine
• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene

Medical Definition

transferrin

noun

trans·​fer·​rin tran(t)s-ˈfer-ən 

: a beta globulin in blood plasma capable of combining with ferric ions and transporting iron in the body

called also siderophilin