Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein of about 80 kDa, belonging to the transferrin family. It is found in colostrum, milk and other biological fluids. This protein has antibacterial, antiviral and anticarcinogenic activity; it is involved in iron absorption and immunomodulation and it also promotes the growth of some strains of lactic acid bacteria (Brock, 2002; Kim et al., 2004). High LF concentrations in colostrum and milk have a positive role in the development of the newborn animal and in its protection against gastroenteric pathologies through its direct effect on pathogenic bacteria and in balancing newborn gut microflora toward probiotic bacteria (Schanbacher et al., 1997; Blum and Baumrucker, 2002). The administration of porcine LF in pig management could be a useful strategy to improve the growth of healthy piglets; during weaning they are subjected to several stressors that compromise their immunological status and can lead to gastroenteric diseases (Baldi et al., 1999). In view of the properties reviewed above, the aim of our work was the production of rpLF in heterologous expression system, the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, and evaluation of some of the biological activities of the recombinant protein expressed.
Heterologous expression of biologically active porcine lactoferrin in Pichia pastoris yeast
SAVAZZINI, FEDERICA;BALDI, ANTONELLA
2005
Abstract
Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein of about 80 kDa, belonging to the transferrin family. It is found in colostrum, milk and other biological fluids. This protein has antibacterial, antiviral and anticarcinogenic activity; it is involved in iron absorption and immunomodulation and it also promotes the growth of some strains of lactic acid bacteria (Brock, 2002; Kim et al., 2004). High LF concentrations in colostrum and milk have a positive role in the development of the newborn animal and in its protection against gastroenteric pathologies through its direct effect on pathogenic bacteria and in balancing newborn gut microflora toward probiotic bacteria (Schanbacher et al., 1997; Blum and Baumrucker, 2002). The administration of porcine LF in pig management could be a useful strategy to improve the growth of healthy piglets; during weaning they are subjected to several stressors that compromise their immunological status and can lead to gastroenteric diseases (Baldi et al., 1999). In view of the properties reviewed above, the aim of our work was the production of rpLF in heterologous expression system, the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, and evaluation of some of the biological activities of the recombinant protein expressed.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
