Lactoferrin (LTF) Human Native Protein

This gene is a member of the transferrin family of genes and its protein product is found in the secondary granules of neutrophils. The protein is a major iron-binding protein in milk and body secretions with an antimicrobial activity, making it an important component of the non-specific immune system. The protein demonstrates a broad spectrum of properties, including regulation of iron homeostasis, host defense against a broad range of microbial infections, anti-inflammatory activity, regulation of cellular growth and differentiation and protection against cancer development and metastasis. Antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic activity has been found for this protein and its peptides. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2014]

LTF: Transferrins are iron binding transport proteins which can bind two Fe(3+) ions in association with the binding of an anion, usually bicarbonate. Belongs to the transferrin family. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative promoter.

Protein type: Secreted, signal peptide; Protease; EC 3.4.21.-; Secreted

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 3p21.31

Cellular Component: extracellular space; specific granule; cytoplasm; extracellular region; nucleus; secretory granule

Molecular Function: heparin binding; protein serine/threonine kinase activator activity; protein binding; DNA binding; ferric iron binding; serine-type endopeptidase activity; iron ion binding

Biological Process: interaction with host; negative regulation of lipopolysaccharide-mediated signaling pathway; ossification; positive regulation of I-kappaB kinase/NF-kappaB cascade; transcription, DNA-dependent; positive regulation of toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway; antifungal humoral response; proteolysis; iron ion transport; humoral immune response; regulation of cytokine production; activation of NF-kappaB transcription factor; positive regulation of osteoblast differentiation; retinal homeostasis; innate immune response in mucosa; negative regulation of viral genome replication; response to host immune response; positive regulation of osteoblast proliferation; antibacterial humoral response; regulation of tumor necrosis factor production; negative regulation of viral reproduction; iron assimilation by chelation and transport; negative regulation of ATPase activity; negative regulation of apoptosis