Biofoams and natural protein surfactants

Cooper, A. and Kennedy, M.W. (2010) Biofoams and natural protein surfactants. Biophysical Chemistry, 151(3), pp. 96-104. (doi: 10.1016/j.bpc.2010.06.006)

Abstract

Naturally occurring foam constituent and surfactant proteins with intriguing structures and functions are now being identified from a variety of biological sources. The ranaspumins from tropical frog foam nests comprise a range of proteins with a mixture of surfactant, carbohydrate binding and antimicrobial activities that together provide a stable, biocompatible, protective foam environment for developing eggs and embryos. Ranasmurfin, a blue protein from a different species of frog, displays a novel structure with a unique chromophoric crosslink. Latherin, primarily from horse sweat, but with similarities to salivary, oral and upper respiratory tract proteins, illustrates several potential roles for surfactant proteins in mammalian systems. These proteins, together with the previously discovered hydrophobins of fungi, throw new light on biomolecular processes at air-water and other interfaces. This review provides a perspective on these recent findings, focussing on structure and biophysical properties

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kennedy, Professor Malcolm and Cooper, Professor Alan
• Authors: Cooper, A., and Kennedy, M.W.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Biophysical Chemistry
• Publisher: Elsevier BV
• ISSN: 0301-4622
• ISSN (Online): 1873-4200
• Published Online: 25 June 2010