Lactoferrin
and its biological functions.
Kanyshkova TG,
Buneva VN, Nevinsky GA.
Novosibirsk Institute
of Bioorganic Chemistry, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy
of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russia.
Lactoferrin,
a component of mammalian milk, is a member of the transferrin family.
These glycoproteins transfer Fe(3+) ions. Lactoferrin is a unique
polyfunctional protein that influences cell proliferation and differentiation.
It can regulate
granulopoiesis and DNA synthesis in some cells. Lactoferrin inhibits
prostaglandin synthesis in human milk macrophages and activates the
nonspecific immune response by stimulating phagocytosis and complement.
It can interact with DNA, RNA, proteins, polysaccharides, heparin-like
polyanions, etc.; in some of its effects, lactoferrin is found in
complexes with ligands. It was recently demonstrated that lactoferrin
also possesses ribonuclease activity and is a transcription factor.
The list of known
biological activities of lactoferrin is constantly increasing.
This review analyzes
possible mechanisms of its polyfunctionality.
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