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MELTF melanotransferrin [ Homo sapiens (human) ]

Gene ID: 4241, updated on 25-Nov-2025
Official Symbol
MELTFprovided by HGNC
Official Full Name
melanotransferrinprovided by HGNC
Primary source
HGNC:HGNC:7037
See related
Ensembl:ENSG00000163975 MIM:155750; AllianceGenome:HGNC:7037
Gene type
protein coding
RefSeq status
REVIEWED
Organism
Homo sapiens
Lineage
Eukaryota; Metazoa; Chordata; Craniata; Vertebrata; Euteleostomi; Mammalia; Eutheria; Euarchontoglires; Primates; Haplorrhini; Catarrhini; Hominidae; Homo
Also known as
MTf; MFI2; MTF1; CD228; MAP97
Summary
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. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Expression
Broad expression in salivary gland (RPKM 9.5), kidney (RPKM 5.4) and 16 other tissues See more
Orthologs
all
Try the new Gene page
Try the new Transcripts and proteins table
See MELTF in Genome Data Viewer
Location:
3q29
Exon count:
17
Annotation release Status Assembly Chr Location
RS_2025_08 current GRCh38.p14 (GCF_000001405.40) 3 NC_000003.12 (197001740..197029817, complement)
RS_2025_08 current T2T-CHM13v2.0 (GCF_009914755.1) 3 NC_060927.1 (199727923..199756006, complement)
RS_2024_09 previous assembly GRCh37.p13 (GCF_000001405.25) 3 NC_000003.11 (196728611..196756688, complement)

Chromosome 3 - NC_000003.12Genomic Context describing neighboring genes Neighboring gene 40S ribosomal protein SA-like Neighboring gene Sharpr-MPRA regulatory region 2091 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 15080 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 15081 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 15082 Neighboring gene ribosomal protein SA pseudogene 30 Neighboring gene MELTF antisense RNA 1 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 21107 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr3:196756444-196757080 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 15084 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 15083 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr3:196757081-196757717 Neighboring gene BRD4-independent group 4 enhancer GRCh37_chr3:196758105-196759304 Neighboring gene MPRA-validated peak4992 silencer Neighboring gene discs large MAGUK scaffold protein 1 Neighboring gene ReSE screen-validated silencer GRCh37_chr3:196860144-196860342 Neighboring gene OCT4-NANOG hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr3:196930580-196931118 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 15086 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 15087 Neighboring gene DLG1 antisense RNA 1 Neighboring gene microRNA 4797

Go to nucleotide: Graphics FASTA GenBank

  • Project title: Tissue-specific circular RNA induction during human fetal development
  • Description: 35 human fetal samples from 6 tissues (3 - 7 replicates per tissue) collected between 10 and 20 weeks gestational time were sequenced using Illumina TruSeq Stranded Total RNA
  • BioProject: PRJNA270632
  • Publication: PMID 26076956
  • Analysis date: Mon Apr 2 22:54:59 2018

Related articles in PubMed

  1. Coincident expression and distribution of melanotransferrin and transferrin receptor in human brain capillary endothelium. Rothenberger S, et al. Brain Res, 1996 Mar 11. PMID 8705293
  2. Discovery of melanotransferrin as a serological marker of colorectal cancer by secretome analysis and quantitative proteomics. Shin J, et al. J Proteome Res, 2014 Nov 7. PMID 25216327
  3. The melanoma tumor antigen, melanotransferrin (p97): a 25-year hallmark--from iron metabolism to tumorigenesis. Suryo Rahmanto Y, et al. Oncogene, 2007 Sep 13. PMID 17452986
  4. Melanotransferrin induces human melanoma SK-Mel-28 cell invasion in vivo. Bertrand Y, et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2007 Feb 9. PMID 17196552
  5. The double-edged nature of using genetic databases: melanotransferrin genes and transcripts. Sekyere E, et al. FEBS Lett, 2003 Jul 17. PMID 12860420

See all (73) citations in PubMed

GeneRIFs: Gene References Into Functions

What's a GeneRIF?
  1. Characterizing ATP processing by the AAA+ protein p97 at the atomic level.
    Title: Characterizing ATP processing by the AAA+ protein p97 at the atomic level.
  2. The E2F1/MELTF axis fosters the progression of lung adenocarcinoma by regulating the Notch signaling pathway.
    Title: The E2F1/MELTF axis fosters the progression of lung adenocarcinoma by regulating the Notch signaling pathway.
  3. MELTF Might Regulate Ferroptosis, Pyroptosis, and Autophagy in Platelet-Rich Plasma-Mediated Endometrial Epithelium Regeneration.
    Title: MELTF Might Regulate Ferroptosis, Pyroptosis, and Autophagy in Platelet-Rich Plasma-Mediated Endometrial Epithelium Regeneration.
  4. The Role of Melanotransferrin (CD228) in the regulation of the differentiation of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hBM-MSC).
    Title: The Role of Melanotransferrin (CD228) in the regulation of the differentiation of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hBM-MSC).
  5. The hypoxia sensitive metal transcription factor MTF-1 activates NCX1 brain promoter and participates in remote postconditioning neuroprotection in stroke.
    Title: The hypoxia sensitive metal transcription factor MTF-1 activates NCX1 brain promoter and participates in remote postconditioning neuroprotection in stroke.
  6. High MELTF mRNA expression was associated with Gastric Cancer.
    Title: Level of Melanotransferrin in Tissue and Sera Serves as a Prognostic Marker of Gastric Cancer.
  7. Melanotransferrin is a serological marker of colorectal cancer by secretome analysis and quantitative proteomics.
    Title: Discovery of melanotransferrin as a serological marker of colorectal cancer by secretome analysis and quantitative proteomics.
  8. PC3 tumors are sustained by a small number of tumor-initiating cells with stem-like characteristics, including strong self-renewal and pro-angiogenic capability and marked by the expression pattern FAM65Bhigh/MFI2low/LEF1low.
    Title: PC3 prostate tumor-initiating cells with molecular profile FAM65Bhigh/MFI2low/LEF1low increase tumor angiogenesis.
  9. Biochemical and spectroscopic studies of MTF1 are reported.
    Title: Biochemical and spectroscopic studies of human melanotransferrin (MTf): electron-paramagnetic resonance evidence for a difference between the iron-binding site of MTf and other transferrins.
  10. Novel molecular targets directly or indirectly regulated by MTf and the potential pathways involved in its function, including modulation of proliferation.
    Title: Identification of distinct changes in gene expression after modulation of melanoma tumor antigen p97 (melanotransferrin) in multiple models in vitro and in vivo.
Submit: New GeneRIF Correction See all GeneRIFs (22)

Find tests for this gene in the NIH Genetic Testing Registry (GTR)

Review eQTL and phenotype association data in this region using PheGenI

See variants in ClinVar

See studies and variants in dbVar

See Variation Viewer (GRCh37.p13)

See Variation Viewer (GRCh38)

Replication interactions

Interaction Pubs
HIV-1 infection (VSV-G pseudotyped) of CEMT4 T cells downregulates plasma membrane expression of MELTF PubMed

Go to the HIV-1, Human Interaction Database

Products Interactant Other Gene Complex Source Pubs Description

Markers

Homology

Clone Names

  • MGC4856, FLJ38863

Gene Ontology Provided by GOA

Function Evidence Code Pubs
enables iron ion binding IMP
Inferred from Mutant Phenotype
more info
 PubMed 
enables iron ion binding TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
enables metal ion binding IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
enables protein binding IPI
Inferred from Physical Interaction
more info
 PubMed 
Process Evidence Code Pubs
involved_in iron ion transport IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
involved_in iron ion transport IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in iron ion transport IMP
Inferred from Mutant Phenotype
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in monoatomic ion transport IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in negative regulation of substrate adhesion-dependent cell spreading IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in positive regulation of extracellular matrix disassembly IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in positive regulation of plasminogen activation IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
NOT involved_in regulation of cell growth IMP
Inferred from Mutant Phenotype
more info
 PubMed 
NOT involved_in regulation of cell population proliferation IMP
Inferred from Mutant Phenotype
more info
 PubMed 
Component Evidence Code Pubs
located_in cell surface IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
is_active_in early endosome IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
located_in endoplasmic reticulum lumen TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
  
located_in extracellular exosome HDA PubMed 
located_in extracellular region IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
located_in extracellular region TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
  
is_active_in extracellular space IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
located_in extracellular space IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
is_active_in plasma membrane IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
located_in plasma membrane IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
 PubMed 
located_in plasma membrane IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
located_in plasma membrane TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
  
is_active_in recycling endosome IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
located_in side of membrane IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
Preferred Names
melanotransferrin
Names
antigen p97 (melanoma associated) identified by monoclonal antibodies 133.2 and 96.5
membrane-bound transferrin-like protein

NEW Try the new Transcript table

RefSeqs maintained independently of Annotated Genomes

These reference sequences exist independently of genome builds. Explain

These reference sequences are curated independently of the genome annotation cycle, so their versions may not match the RefSeq versions in the current genome build. Identify version mismatches by comparing the version of the RefSeq in this section to the one reported in Genomic regions, transcripts, and products above.

mRNA and Protein(s)

  1. NM_005929.6 → NP_005920.2  melanotransferrin isoform 1 preproprotein

    See identical proteins and their annotated locations for NP_005920.2

    Status: REVIEWED

    Description
    Transcript Variant: This variant (1) encodes the longer isoform (1), as compared to variant 2.
    Source sequence(s)
    AA442552, AC068302, AH002920, BQ447289
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS3325.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    P08582, Q9BQE2
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    A0A8Q3WLY9
    Related
    ENSP00000296350.5, ENST00000296350.10
    Conserved Domains (2) summary
    smart00094
    Location:367 → 706
    TR_FER; Transferrin
    pfam00405
    Location:23 → 357
    Transferrin

  2. NM_033316.4 → NP_201573.1  melanotransferrin isoform 2 precursor

    See identical proteins and their annotated locations for NP_201573.1

    Status: REVIEWED

    Description
    Transcript Variant: This variant (2) differs from variant 1 in the central coding region, resulting in a frameshift. The encoded isoform (2) has a truncated and distinct C-terminus and lacks the propeptide compared to isoform 1.
    Source sequence(s)
    AC068302, AU099352, BC071910
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS3326.1
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    Q53XS6
    Related
    ENSP00000296351.4, ENST00000296351.8
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    cl26270
    Location:23 → 301
    Transferrin; Transferrin

RefSeqs of Annotated Genomes: GCF_000001405.40-RS_2025_08

The following sections contain reference sequences that belong to a specific genome build. Explain

Reference GRCh38.p14 Primary Assembly

Genomic

  1. NC_000003.12 Reference GRCh38.p14 Primary Assembly

    Range
    197001740..197029817 complement
    Download
    GenBank, FASTA, Sequence Viewer (Graphics)

mRNA and Protein(s)

  1. XM_047448150.1 → XP_047304106.1  melanotransferrin isoform X3

    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    A0A8Q3WLY9
    Related
    ENSP00000607822.1, ENST00000937763.1

  2. XM_006713643.4 → XP_006713706.2  melanotransferrin isoform X2

    Conserved Domains (4) summary
    smart00094
    Location:367 → 732
    TR_FER; Transferrin
    cd13529
    Location:23 → 355
    PBP2_transferrin; Transferrin family of the type 2 periplasmic-binding protein superfamily
    pfam00405
    Location:23 → 357
    Transferrin; Transferrin
    cl21456
    Location:367 → 727
    Periplasmic_Binding_Protein_Type_2; Type 2 periplasmic binding fold superfamily

  3. XM_011512850.3 → XP_011511152.1  melanotransferrin isoform X1

    Related
    ENSP00000607821.1, ENST00000937762.1
    Conserved Domains (3) summary
    smart00094
    Location:367 → 733
    TR_FER; Transferrin
    cd13529
    Location:23 → 355
    PBP2_transferrin; Transferrin family of the type 2 periplasmic-binding protein superfamily
    pfam00405
    Location:23 → 357
    Transferrin; Transferrin

Alternate T2T-CHM13v2.0

Genomic

  1. NC_060927.1 Alternate T2T-CHM13v2.0

    Range
    199727923..199756006 complement
    Download
    GenBank, FASTA, Sequence Viewer (Graphics)

mRNA and Protein(s)

  1. XM_054346563.1 → XP_054202538.1  melanotransferrin isoform X3

    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    A0A8Q3WLY9

  2. XM_054346562.1 → XP_054202537.1  melanotransferrin isoform X2

  3. XM_054346561.1 → XP_054202536.1  melanotransferrin isoform X1

Nucleotide Protein
Heading Accession and Version
Protein Accession Links
GenPept Link UniProtKB Link
P08582.2 GenPept UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot:P08582

Gene LinkOut

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