Lactoferrin

**Definition:** An iron-binding protein that was originally characterized as a milk protein. It is widely distributed in secretory fluids and is found in the neutrophilic granules of LEUKOCYTES. The N-terminal part of lactoferrin possesses a serine protease which functions to inactivate the TYPE III SECRETION SYSTEM used by bacteria to export virulence proteins for host cell invasion.

**Tree numbers:** - D08.811.277.656.300.760.471 - D08.811.277.656.959.350.471 - D09.400.430.887 - D12.776.157.427.750.249 - D12.776.256.159.750.816.500.507 - D12.776.377.457.507 - D12.776.395.507 - D12.776.556.579.750.249

**Synonyms:** - Lactotransferrin