β-Lactoglobulin

Abstract

The whey protein β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg), a lipocalin, is widely distributed amongst mammals and is a small soluble protein found both as monomers and dimers, the latter being predominant in ruminant milks. β-Lg binds a wide variety of small, generally hydrophobic, molecules at a major internal binding site, although external sites have also been identified. The bovine protein undergoes several conformational changes and has a free sulphydryl group that appears to be responsible for polymerisation through disulphide interchange on heating. The biochemical properties of β-Lg are discussed with reference to the enormous literature that has been published over the last 75 years.