Lactoferrin Function — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: B — Lactoferrin
Lactoferrin is the salivary innate-defence glycoprotein that binds ferric iron, restricting an essential nutrient and thereby producing a bacteriostatic effect. It can also have antimicrobial actions independent of iron sequestration. Lysozyme instead hydrolyses bacterial peptidoglycan, while histatins are histidine-rich peptides principally associated with antifungal activity. Cystatins inhibit cysteine proteases, and statherin helps maintain calcium phosphate supersaturation and pellicle formation. Therefore, the iron-binding mechanism described is characteristic of lactoferrin.
Reference: Rosa L, et al. Lactoferrin and oral pathologies: a therapeutic treatment. Biochemistry and Cell Biology. 2021;99(1):81-90. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32213143/