Absorption of 59Fe in the rat: iron binding substances in the soluble fraction of intestinal mucosa.

Abstract The soluble fraction of homogenised intestinal epithelial cells has been obtained from rats killed during the process of radioiron absorption. Starch gel electrophoresis shows the presence of four distinct iron binding proteins. Protein I is ferritin. Protein II appears to be transferrin. Protein IV is a high molecular weight mucoprotein which appears to be closely related to the absorption process.