Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1934323 Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 2008 4 Pages PDF
Abstract

HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumor cells), which was identified in human breast milk as an alpha-lactalbumin (LA)–oleic acid complex, kills tumor cells, selectively. Although it may have potential as a therapeutic agent against various tumor cells, only low-volume methods for its production exist. In this study, heat treatment was used to produce complexes from LAs and oleic acid using a simple method. In the case of human LA and oleic acid, heat-treated samples apparently showed much stronger activities than those treated at room temperature, with cytotoxicities equal to that of HAMLET. Furthermore, circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that heat-treated samples lost their tertiary structure, suggesting a molten globule as oleic acid-bound LA. BLA samples also showed strong activities by heat treatment. Batch production with heat treatment can efficiently convert LAs into tumoricidal complexes.

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Life Sciences Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology Biochemistry
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