Melanotransferrin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MFI2gene. MFI2 has also recently been designated CD228 (cluster of differentiation 228).
The protein encoded by this gene is a cell-surface glycoprotein found on melanoma cells. The protein shares sequence similarity and iron-binding properties with members of the transferrin superfamily. The importance of the iron binding function has not yet been identified. This gene resides in the same region of chromosome 3 as members of the transferrin superfamily. Alternative splicing results in two transcript variants.[5] It is part of neural crest tissue, often present in melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy.
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Sciot R, de Vos R, van Eyken P, et al. (1989). "In situ localization of melanotransferrin (melanoma-associated antigen P97) in human liver. A light- and electronmicroscopic immunohistochemical study". Liver. 9 (2): 110–9. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0676.1989.tb00387.x. PMID2540389.
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Sekyere E, Food MR, Richardson DR (2002). "A second melanotransferrin gene (MTf2) and a novel protein isoform: explanation for the membrane-bound and soluble forms of melanotransferrin?". FEBS Lett. 512 (1–3): 350–2. doi:10.1016/S0014-5793(02)02248-2. PMID11852110. S2CID38104056.