Lactoferrin: Interactions and Biological Functions (Experimental Biology and Medicine, 28)

The number of investigators focusing their attention on lactoferrin has increased dramatically in recent years. Lactoferrin is a protein with more than one known structure and a number of proposed biological functions, including several with important regulatory consequences. In many ways it has been an easy pro­ tein to investigate; however, there have been difficulties under­ standing specific structure / function relationships, particularly as it functions in vivo. Research funding dedicated to this protein has previously been limited, but is now increasing. As lactoferrin begins to emerge formally as a protein of significance to the medi­ and industry, it is more important than ever to coor­ cal profession dinate and integrate research efforts whenever possible and to share the results of these efforts within the expanding array of medical and scientific diSciplines involved. It was our intention to provide a forum to summarize and disseminate the most recent advances in this field. Included in Lactoferrin: Interactions and Biological Functions are selected presentations representing the many disciplines involved in defining lactoferrin function in terms of its known structural features, including its carbohydrate side-chains, receptor binding sites, its capacity to bind different metal ions, and other newly discovered bioactive domains. Several of the possible physiologi­ cal functions of lactoferrin are described and summarized in detail, including the role of laetoferrin in bacterial killing, its in­ volvement in cell growth and proliferation, in the modulation of immune function, and in iron absorption.

In Lactoferrin: Interactions and Biological Functions, experimental and clinical investigators join forces to explain our current understanding of lactoferrin, a highly significant protein in medicine and industry. Drawing on many disciplines, the front-line authorities writing here define the structural features of lactoferrin and describe in detail several of its physiological functions. These include the role of lactoferrin in killing bacteria, and its involvement in cell growth and proliferation, in the modulation of immune function, and in iron absorption. Particular attention is given to lactoferrin functions in the regulation of normal and diseased states. New knowledge of the molecular biology of lactoferrin is also included, along with discussions of commercially viable large-scale production techniques and important new industrial applications.

Lactoferrin: Interactions and Biological Functions offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary view of our present knowledge of lactoferrin and opens the way to the greatly expanded use of lactoferrin as a bioactive reagent in foods and pharmaceuticals. Now the new standard reference in the field, Lactoferrin will prove invaluable to all those working with this important biochemical in both basic and clinical settings.