Quantitative Label-Free Proteomic Analysis of Milk Fat Globule Membrane in Donkey and Human Milk

Abstract

Previous studies have found donkey milk (DM) has the similar compositions with human milk (HM) and could be used as a potential hypoallergenic replacement diet for babies suffering from cow's milk allergy. Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) proteins are involved in many biological functions, behaving as important indicators of the nutritional quality of milk. In this study, we used label-free proteomics to quantify the differentially expressed MFGM proteins (DEP) between DM (in 4–5 months of lactation) and HM (in 6–8 months of lactation). In total, 293 DEP were found in these two groups. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that the majority of DEP participated in regulation of immune system process, membrane invagination and lymphocyte activation. Several significant Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were determined for the DEP, such as lysosome, galactose metabolism and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway. Our study may provide valuable information in the composition of MFGM proteins in DM and HM, and expand our knowledge of different biological functions between DM and HM.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Paired Human Milk Fat Globules and Membranes and Mouse Milk Fat Globules Identifies Core Cellular Systems Contributing to Mammary Lipid Trafficking and Secretion

“…We identified proteins specifically associated with human MFGM by comparing the relative abundances of proteins found in intact MFG from individual subjects with their relative abundances in corresponding MFGM fractions in a single LC-MS/MS run. This approach allowed us to directly compare relative protein abundances of MFG and MFGM in individual subjects, which eliminates the potential for inter-run variability and improves the power and quantitative rigor of MFGM protein enrichment analysis over prior studies of human MFGM proteins, which analyzed pooled samples and did not compare protein abundances in MFG and MFGM fractions (Liao, Alvarado et al 2011, Yang, Zheng et al 2015, Yang, Cong et al 2016, Zhang, Jiang et al 2021). Using differences in relative abundances between MFG and isolated MFGM, we found 628 proteins whose relative abundances were significantly increased MFGM after correcting for multiple comparisons.…”

Comparative Proteomics Study of Yak Milk from Standard and Naturally Extended Lactation Using iTRAQ Technique

“…However, the lactation period between yak groups was similar. The same sample processing method was used in previous studies [32].…”

Detection of Specific IgG-Antibodies Against Toxoplasma gondii in the Serum and Milk of Domestic Donkeys During Lactation in China: A Potential Public Health Concern

“…It is endowed with the potent ability to regulate the immune system to postpone senility, making it a potentially functional health food for inhibiting the progression of some diseases, such as triple-negative breast tumors ( Li Q. et al., 2020 ), type 2 diabetes ( Li Y. et al., 2020 ), and atherosclerosis ( Tafaro et al., 2007 ). Moreover, donkey’s milk has been recognized as an ideal alternative to human milk because of its total protein and lactose contents, as well as similar fatty acid and protein profiles ( Zhang et al., 2021 ). Owing to these advantages, there has been a booming global demand for the direct consumption of donkey milk.…”