Transferrin receptors are proteins located on the cell surface that facilitate the uptake of transferrin-bound iron. When the transferrin-iron complex binds to these receptors, it is internalized via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Inside the cell, the acidic environment of the endosome leads to the release of iron from transferrin. The apotransferrin (iron-free transferrin) and receptor are then recycled back to the cell surface.
