Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Haptoglobin
Haptoglobins are proteins in the blood that bind free iron, preventing bacteria from using the iron to grow.
Like most plasma proteins, haptoglobins are produced by the liver. These proteins float throughout the body to bind any excess iron.
Normally, all the iron in the blood is contained in haemoglobin in red blood cells. If iron is released from these cells, (for instance by haemolysis), haptoglobins will bind it strongly. The haptoglobins will then be removed by the reticuloendothelial system (mostly the spleen).
For this reason, haptoglobin levels will be decreased in haemolytic anaemias.
10-26-2009 08:16:03
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The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details