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Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Rapid Generation of Amyloid from Native Proteins In vitro
Published on: December 5, 2013
Serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) protein in human colostrum
George H Sack1,2, Natasha Zachara1, Nadine Rosenblum3
1Department of Biological Chemistry Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD USA.
Abstract:
Proteins of the serum amyloid A (SAA) family have been remarkably conserved in evolution. Their biologic function(s) are not fully defined but they are likely to be a part of primordial host defense. We have detected a ∼ 12-kDa protein reacting with antibodies against serum amyloid A (SAA) in human colostrum by western blotting. Mass spectrometry identified the reactive species as SAA1, previously identified as a prominent member of the acute-phase response in serum. Our finding SAA1 in human colostrum contrasts with bovine, caprine and ovine colostrum where a species corresponding to putative SAA3 is uniformly present. SAA1 protein in human colostrum presumably contributes to neonatal protection.
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