Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

15:06
Synthesis of an Intein-mediated Artificial Protein Hydrogel
Published on: January 27, 2014
Recombinant human intelectin binds bovine lactoferrin and its peptides
Kouichirou Shin1, Hiroyuki Wakabayashi, Koji Yamauchi
1Food Science & Technology Institute, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd, Kanagawa, Japan. k_shin@morniagamilk.co.jp
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
|August 2, 2008
Summary
Human intelectin (hIntL), a small intestine protein, binds bovine lactoferrin (bLF) more effectively than human lactoferrin (hLF). This suggests hIntL acts as a receptor for bLF and its breakdown products.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Intelectin (IntL) is a small intestine lectin involved in innate immunity.
- IntL functions as a receptor for lactoferrin (LF), an iron-binding glycoprotein.
- Both human LF (hLF) and bovine LF (bLF) influence human enterocyte proliferation, differentiation, and cytokine production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction and binding affinity between human intelectin (hIntL) and bovine lactoferrin (bLF).
Main Methods:
- Recombinant hIntL (rhIntL) was produced with a tag sequence.
- Ligand-binding assays were performed using microtiter plates coated with bLF, hLF, and other proteins.
- Binding capacity of rhIntL to coated ligands was quantified.
Main Results:
- rhIntL exhibited higher binding affinity for bLF compared to hLF.
- rhIntL also bound to pepsin hydrolysate of bLF, though to a lesser extent than native bLF.
- Minimal binding of rhIntL was observed for bovine serum albumin and transferrin.
Conclusions:
- Human intelectin (hIntL) functions as a receptor for bovine lactoferrin (bLF).
- hIntL can also bind to digested fragments of bLF.
- These findings elucidate a specific molecular interaction in the gastrointestinal tract.
Related Concept Videos
Integrins
Animal and protozoan cells do not have cell walls to help maintain shape and provide structural stability. Instead, these eukaryotic cells secrete a sticky mass of carbohydrates and proteins into the spaces between adjacent cells. This network of proteins and molecules is called an extracellular matrix or ECM.
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Recombinant DNA
Overview
Production of Pharmaceuticals
Industrial insulin production uses genetically engineered E. coli expressing a proinsulin gene controlled by a tryptophan promoter and containing a methionine linker for later cleavage. The cells also carry ampicillin resistance for selective growth. Seed cultures are stored at −80 °C and production begins by thawing a small amount to inoculate starter cultures, which are progressively scaled to a 50,000-L bioreactor. In the bioreactor, E. coli grow in nutrient-rich media under sterile, tightly...
Tagging and Fusion Proteins
Proteins are involved in several cellular processes and biochemical reactions. Analyzing a specific protein of interest requires it to be isolated from the other proteins in the cell. This is achieved by overexpressing the specific gene in a suitable host to produce large quantities of the target protein. A tag or label is recombined with the gene to produce a fusion protein containing the target protein and the tag. The tags on these fusion proteins can then be used for easy detection and...
Fibronectins Connect Cells with ECM
Fibronectin is an adhesive glycoprotein present in the extracellular matrix of embryogenic and adult tissue. These molecules primarily aid in regulating cell motility and attachment. A fibronectin molecule is composed of two identical polypeptide chains attached to each other by a pair of disulfide bonds at the C-terminal.
Both proteoglycans and collagen are attached to fibronectin proteins, which, in turn, are attached to integrin proteins. These integrin proteins interact with transmembrane...
Both proteoglycans and collagen are attached to fibronectin proteins, which, in turn, are attached to integrin proteins. These integrin proteins interact with transmembrane...
