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Transcobalamin I (vitamin B12 binding protein, R binder family)
Protein TCN1 PDB 2ckv.png
Rendering based on PDB 2ckv.
Available structures
PDB Ortholog search: PDBe, RCSB
Symbols TCN1 ; TC-1; TC1; TCI
External IDs OMIM189905 HomoloGene47985 GeneCards: TCN1 Gene
Species Human Mouse
Entrez 6947 n/a
Ensembl ENSG00000134827 n/a
UniProt P20061 n/a
RefSeq (mRNA) NM_001062 n/a
RefSeq (protein) NP_001053 n/a
Location (UCSC) Chr 11:
59.62 – 59.63 Mb
PubMed search [1] n/a

Haptocorrin also known as transcobalamin-1 (TC-1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TCN1 gene.[1] The essential function of haptocorrin is protection of the acid-sensitive vitamin B12 while it moves through the stomach.


Haptocorrin (HC), also commonly known as the R-protein, or the R-factor, or previously referred to as "transcobalamin I", is a unique glycoprotein produced by the salivary glands of the oral cavity, in response to ingestion of food. This protein binds strongly to vitamin B12 (Vit. B12) in what is perhaps an intricate yet necessary evolutionary mechanism to protect this vitamin from the acidic environment of the stomach.[2]:44 Vitamin B12 is an essential water soluble vitamin, the deficiency of which creates anemia (macrocytic anemia), decreased bone marrow cell production (anemia, pancytopenia), neurological problems, as well as metabolic issues (methylmalonyl-CoA acidosis).[2]:50–51

Vitamin B12 is therefore an important vitamin for the body to absorb. Despite its vital role however, vitamin B12 is structurally very sensitive to the hydrochloric acid found in the stomach secretions, and easily denatures in that environment before it has a chance to be absorbed by the small intestine. Found in fresh animal products (such as liver), vitamin B12 attaches haptocorrin, which has a high affinity for its molecular structure.[3] Coupled together vitamin B12 and haptocorrin create a complex. This "Haptocorrin-Vit. B12" complex is impervious to the insult of the stomach acid, and passes on via the pylorus to the duodenum. In the duodenum pancreatic proteases (a component of pancreatic juice) cleave haptocorrin, yet again releasing vitamin B12 in its free form.

The same cells in the stomach that produce gastric hydrochloric acid, the parietal cells, also produce a molecule called the intrinsic factor (IF), which rebinds the B12 after its release from haptocorrin by digestion, and without which vitamin B12 can not be absorbed. Intrinsic factor (IF) is a glycoprotein, with a MW of 45,000 dalton. In the duodenum, the free vitamin B12 attaches the intrinsic factor (IF) to create a "vitamin B12-IF" complex. This complex then travels through the small bowel and reaches the terminal tertiary portion of the small intestine, called ileum. Ileum is the longest of all portions of the small intestine, but has on its surface specialized receptors called "cubilin" receptors, that identify the "Vit. B12-IF" complexs and take them up into the circulation via endocytosis mediated absorption.[4]

In short, the essential function of haptocorrin is protection of the acid-sensitive vitamin B12 while it moves through the stomach. Haptocorrin also circulates and binds approximately 80% of circulating B12, rendering it unavailable for cellular delivery by Transcobalamin II [5]


  1. ^ "Entrez Gene: transcobalamin I (vitamin B12 binding protein". 
  2. ^ a b Pettit, John D.; Paul Moss (2006). Essential Haematology 5e (Essential). Blackwell Publishing Professional. p. 44. ISBN 1-4051-3649-9. 
  3. ^ Morkbak AL, Poulsen SS, Nexo E (2007). "Haptocorrin in humans". Clin. Chem. Lab. Med. 45 (12): 1751–9. doi:10.1515/CCLM.2007.343. PMID 17990953. 
  5. ^ Vitamin B12 Deficiency Sally P. Stabler, M.D" N Engl J Med 2013; 368:149-160January 10, 2013

Further reading[edit]