Transcobalamin
Vitamin B12 transporter
Transcobalamin (TC) is a protein that is involved in the transport of vitamin B12 in the bloodstream. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays a key role in the development and maintenance of the nervous system, as well as the production of red blood cells.
When vitamin B12 is obtained from the diet or through supplementation, it is bound to a protein called haptocorrin in the stomach. Once it reaches the small intestine, pancreatic enzymes cleave the bond between haptocorrin and vitamin B12, allowing the vitamin to bind to another protein called intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor and vitamin B12 complex then travel to the ileum, where they are absorbed into the bloodstream.
Once in the bloodstream, the vitamin B12-intrinsic factor complex binds to TC, which acts as a carrier protein to transport the nutrient to the cells of the body that require it. TC functions by binding to specific receptors on the surface of the cells, allowing the complex to enter the cell and release the vitamin B12. The vitamin is then used by the cell for various metabolic processes.
Overall, TC plays an essential role in ensuring that vitamin B12 is delivered to the cells of the body that need it to function properly. If there are deficiencies in TC or vitamin B12, it can lead to a range of health issues, including anemia, neurological problems, and fatigue.
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