Intrinsic factor

Intrinsic factor (IF), also known as cobalamin binding intrinsic factor, or gastric intrinsic factor (GIF), is a glycoprotein produced by the parietal cells (in humans) or chief cells (in rodents) of the stomach. It is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B₁₂ later on in the distal ileum of the small intestine. In humans, the gastric intrinsic factor protein is encoded by the CBLIF gene. Haptocorrin (transcobalamin I) is another glycoprotein secreted by the salivary glands which binds to vitamin B₁₂. Vitamin B₁₂ is acid-sensitive and in binding to haptocorrin it can safely pass through the acidic stomach to the duodenum.

In the less acidic environment of the small intestine, pancreatic enzymes digest the glycoprotein carrier and vitamin B₁₂ can then bind to intrinsic factor. This new complex is then absorbed by the epithelial cells (enterocytes) of the ileum. Inside the cells, vitamin B₁₂ dissociates once again and binds to another protein, transcobalamin II; the new complex can then exit the epithelial cells to be carried to the liver.