Investigation of human milk proteins by proteomics

Abstract

Human milk is the optimal food for infant nutrition and growth. Proteins are abundant and represent a key element in human milk. With recent developments in proteomics, more tools are available to explore human milk proteins. This article aims to review the recent investigations of human milk proteins using proteomic methodologies. This review focuses on using proteomics as a tool to study the components of human milk proteins; dynamics of human milk proteins during lactation; comparison of proteome from human milk and other source milk, phosphoprotein and glycoprotein analysis of human milk; endogenous peptides in human milk; and the human milk proteome and its correlation to curing of various diseases. Proteomics technology has enabled the study of human milk proteins in the era of micronutrient research, and the results of these studies will be helpful for further analysis of mother and infant health.