We tested whether melanotransferrin (p97), an iron-binding protein of the p
lasma membrane, is involved in the transport of non-transferrin iron into h
uman HeLa and K562 cells. The expression of melanotransferrin was detected
in HeLa but not in K562 cells. PI-PLC treatment dramatically decreased (to
20% of the original value) p97 expression by HeLa cells. However, the rate
of iron uptake from Fe-55-ferric citrate by PI-PLC-treated HeLa cells was c
omparable or only slightly lower (80-100%) than the rate of iron uptake by
untreated cells. PI-PLC treatment had no effect on iron uptake by K562 cell
s. These findings strongly support the suggestion that melanotransferrin do
es not play a substantial role in non-transferrin iron uptake by either HeL
a or K562 cells.