Abstract

One of the contributing factors to bacterial pathogenesis is the ability to acquire iron (Fe) in the extremely Fe scarce environment of the host. The families Neisseriaceae and Pasteurellaceae, which include a number of human and veterinary pathogens, express outer membrane receptors that specifically bind and remove Fe from the hosts’ Fe binding proteins, transferrin (Tf) and lactoferrin (Lf)5. The bacterial Lf receptor was initially identified by affinity methods with immobilized human Lf (hLf) as the affinity matrix, using high salt and pH conditions to minimize nonspecific interactions11. These studies identified a single Fe-repressible outer membrane protein, lactoferrin binding protein (Lbp), in constrast to the two transferrin binding proteins, transferrin binding protein A (TbpA) and transferrin binding protein B (TbpB), that were isolated with a Tf affinity column11. Lbp shared several properties with TbpA and once the gene encoding Lbp was cloned9 it was apparent that the predicted protein sequence was homologous to TbpA.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.