Lactoferricin Antiangiogenesis Inhibitor

Definition

Lactoferricin is a cationic peptide that is generated by the acid-pepsin hydrolysis of mammalian lactoferrin present in the secretory granules of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) as well as in exocrine secretions, including milk, tears, and saliva. Interestingly, substantial quantities of lactoferricin are generated in the stomach following the ingestion of lactoferrin-containing milk. Lactoferricin possesses potent antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antitumor activities. In terms of anticancer activity, the best studied of the lactoferricins is bovine lactoferricin, which consists of amino acid residues 17–41 from the NH₂-terminal region of bovine lactoferrin (Fig. 1). A disulfide bond that forms between cysteine residues located at each end of the peptide creates a looped or hairpin structure. In an aqueous environment, bovine lactoferricin assumes an amphipathic, twisted β-sheet configuration with clear positively charged and hydrophobic faces. The...