Bovine lactoferrin region responsible for binding to bifidobacterial cell surface proteins

概要

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Bovine lactoferrin (bLf) is a multifunctional iron-binding glycoprotein secreted mainly in milk and other secretory fluids. Bovine lactoferrin is reported to promote the growth of bifidobacteria and binding of bLf to bifidobacteria cell is thought to be involved. After separation of bLf half molecule and extraction of surface proteins from bifidobacteria, binding profiles were observed by immunoblotting. No binding was appeared when bLf C-lobe was being reacted with cell surface proteins on PVDF membrane. Conversely, a 50-kDa band was appeared when reacted with either intact bLf or nicked bLf. This result strongly suggests that binding region could be N-lobe. Moreover, blot, probed with nicked bLf, reacted with anti-lactoferricin antibody also produced a 50-kDa band that indicates the binding occurred at lactoferricin region of bLf molecule. Interestingly, despite absence of binding, bLf C-lobe can stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria.