Purification and characterization of a gastrointestinal tract epithelial receptor for the adhesion factor of Lactobacillus

An epithelial receptor for the Lactobacillus surface adhesion factor was isolated and purified from mucus of the gastrointestinal tract of SPF chickens, using chromatography. The purified protein was analyzed with discontinuous, native gel electrophoresis and binding assay with cultured intestinal epithelial cells. A single band was obtained after purification. The molecular weight of this band was about 60 KDa. The purified protein inhibited the attachment of Lactobacillus to intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting that it is the gastrointestinal receptor for the surface adhesion factor of Lactobacillus.