Casein

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Chapter: Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry : Enzymes and Protein Drugs

Casein is a proteolytic enzyme obtained from the stomachs of calves. It is extracted from the proteins of the milk; in the milk, casein is structured in voluminous globules.


CASEIN

 

Biological Source

 

Casein is a proteolytic enzyme obtained from the stomachs of calves. It is extracted from the proteins of the milk; in the milk, casein is structured in voluminous globules. These globules are mainly responsible for the white colour of the milk. According to various species, the casein amount within the total proteins of the milk varies.

 

The casein content of milk represents about 80% of milk proteins. The principal casein fractions are alpha (s1) and alpha (s2)-caseins, β-casein and κ-casein. The distinguishing property of all casein is their low solubility at pH 4.6. The common compositional factor is that caseins are conjugated proteins, most with phosphate group(s) esterified to serine residues. These phosphate groups are important to the structure of the casein micelle. Calcium binding by the individual caseins is proportional to the phosphate content.

 

Within the group of caseins, there are several distinguishing features based on their charge distribution and sensitivity to calcium precipitation:

 

Alpha (s1)-casein: (molecular weight 23,000; 199 residues, 17 proline residues).

 

Two hydrophobia regions, containing all the proline residues, separated by a polar region, which contains all but one of eight phosphate groups. It can be precipitated at very low levels of calcium.

 

Alpha (s2)-casein: (molecular weight 25,000; 207 residues, 10 prolines).

 

Concentrated negative charges near N-terminus and positive charges near C-terminus. It can also be precipitated at very low levels of calcium.

 

β-casein: (molecular weight 24,000; 209 residues, 35 prolines).

 

Highly charged N-terminal region and a hydrophobia C-terminal region. Very amphiphilic protein acts like a detergent molecule. Self association is temperature-dependent; will form a large polymer at 20°C but not at 4°C. Less sensitive to calcium precipitation.

 

κ-casein: (molecular weight 19,000; 169 residues, 20 prolines).

 

Very resistant to calcium precipitation, stabilizing other caseins. Rennet cleavage at the Phe l05 – Met l06 bond eliminates the stabilizing ability, leaving a hydrophobia portion, para- κ-casein and a hydrophilic portion called κ-casein glycomacropeptide (GMP), or more accurately, caseinomacropeptide (CMP).

 

Characteristics

 

The isoelectric point of casein is 4.6. The purified protein is water insoluble. While it is also insoluble in neutral salt solutions, it is readily dispersible in dilute alkalis and in salt solutions such as sodium oxalate and sodium acetate. Casein does not coagulate on heating. It is precipitated by acids and by a proteolytic enzyme (rennet).

 

Chemical Constituents

 

Milk consists of 80% of milk proteins (casein). The major constituents of casein are alpha (s1) and alpha (s2)-caseins, β-casein and kappa-casein. These caseins are conjugated proteins with phosphate group(s) which are esterified into serine residues they have a low solubility at pH 4.6.


Uses

 

It is used in the manufacture of binders, adhesives, protective coatings, plastics (such as for knife handles and knitting needles), fabrics, food additives, and many other products. It is commonly used by bodybuilders as a slow-digesting source of amino acids. There is growing evidence that casein may be addictive for some individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum or having schizophrenia.

 

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