Bioinformatics Analysis of Lactoferrin Gene for Several Species

Abstract

Much attention has been focused on the study of lactoferrin due to its function in antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. A total of 60 lactoferrin (LF) gene sequences with the complete coding regions (CDS) and corresponding amino acids belonging to 11 species were analyzed, and the differentiation within and among the species was also studied. The results showed that most of the species have the stop codon TAA, with the variation of TGA for Mus musculus. The length of the LF gene with the complete CDS varies greatly, from 2,055 to 2,190 bp, due to deletion, insertion, and stop codon mutation resulting in elongation. Observed genetic diversity was higher among species than within species, and Sus scrofa had more polymorphisms than any other species. Novel amino acid variation sites were detected within several species (8 in Homo sapiens, 6 in Mus musculus, 6 in Capra hircus, 10 in Bos taurus, and 20 in Sus scrofa), which might be used to illustrate the functional variation. Differentiation of the LF gene was obvious among species, and the clustering result was consistent with the taxonomy in the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Lactoferrin: structure, function and applications

“…In 2008, Kang et al analysed 60 sequences of LF genes with full coding regions. They found that the length of the gene varies widely from species to species, from 2055 to 2190 residues, owing to deletions, insertions and mutations in the stop codon [78].…”

Lactoferrin a multiple bioactive protein: An overview

“…Its mRNA levels vary by tissue, suggesting tissue-or cell-specific regulation [177,178]. The Lf full coding regions of 60 different species were analyzed, and it was found that the length of the gene varies from species to species (from 2055 to 2190 residues) due to deletions, insertions and mutations in the stop codon [179]. Lf is expressed both constitutively and inducibly.…”

Molecular Characterization of Coding Region of Lactoferrin Gene of Malabari and Attappady Black Goats of Kerala

“…They found 11 nucleotide variations responsible for 5 amino acid changes which were the same as observed in the present study. Kang et al (2008) noted 6 novel amino acid variations while analyzing the sequences of goat Lf gene.…”

“…Kang et al (2008) considered Lf amino acid variations within species to be related to antibacterial property or other biological activities. The non-synonymous amino acid variations revealed by the present study, at 88 th and 414 th positions of Lf seems to be highly relevant regarding to its biological functions as they are contributed by amino acids with totally different physical and chemical properties.…”