Affinity of the aluminium binding protein.

The affinity for aluminium of the binding protein (transferrin) in serum was studied by in vitro ultrafiltration and equilibrium dialysis. It was found that the binding of aluminium to transferrin is very tight and cannot be dissociated by prolonged dialysis or desferrioxamine (DFO). The tight binding of aluminium to transferrin may play a role in the development of microcytic hypochromic anaemia in aluminium intoxicated patients despite the presence of adequate iron.