Antimicrobial Heparin binding Domains
Antimicrobial Digestion Stomach enzymes produce antimicrobial peptides and intestinal enzymes inactivate heparin-binding domains of pathogens The human digestive systems exhibits some amazing adaptations -- it can excise heparin-binding domains from ingested proteins and use them as antimicrobial peptides to inactivate ingested bacteria. Then in subsequent enzymatic steps in the intestines, the heparin-binding domains that otherwise could be used to adhere bacteria to the heparan sulfate proteoglycans of the intestinal lining, are chopped into inactive peptide fragments. I was trying to find a cheap heparin-binding protein to use for a variety of research projects and finally found it in the form of whey lactoferrin. This protein is available in a relatively pure form for about $1 per milligram. Alternatively, I could buy it as a nutriceutical in 250 mg capsules for $0.50 per capsule or 1/500th the cost. My next step was to purify the cheap lactoferrin by binding it to chromatograp...