Studies of ligand binding and CD analysis with apo- and holo-tear lipocalins.

Abstract

Tear lipocalins (TL) are novel members of the lipocalin family, a group of proteins that are capable of binding and transporting small hydrophobic molecules.1,2 Most lipocalins, such as retinol binding protein and pheromaxeine bind specific ligands. However,TL are capable of binding a broad array of lipid molecules.3 Cholesterol, fatty acids, phospholipids, and glycolipids are bound to TL in tears. TL are promiscuous and have been shown to bind retinol, synthetic analogs of cholesterol, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, phospholipids, glycolipids, and even environmental contaminants such as dioctyl phthalate.1,3