Comprehensive review of milk fat globule membrane proteins across mammals and lactation periods in health and disease

Abstract

Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a three-layer membrane-like structure encasing natural milk fat globules (MFGs). MFGM holds promise as a nutritional supplement because of the numerous physiological functions of its constituent protein. This review summarizes and compares the differences in MFGM protein composition across various species, including bovines, goats, camels, mares, and donkeys, and different lactation periods, such as colostrum and mature milk, as assessed by techniques such as proteomics and mass spectrometry. We also discuss the health benefits of MFGM proteins throughout life. MFGM proteins promote intestinal development, neurodevelopment, and glucose and lipid metabolism by upregulating tight junction protein expression, brain function-related genes, and glucose and fatty acid biosynthesis processes. We focus on the mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects of MFGM proteins. MFGM proteins activate key substances in in signaling pathways, such as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and myosin light chain kinase signaling pathways. Overall, the consumption of MFGM proteins plays an essential role in conferring health benefits, some of which are important throughout the mammalian life cycle.

Graphical Abstract

HIGHLIGHTS

• Types and amounts of MFGM proteins in mammals, as assessed by proteomic and mass spectrometry analysis, are summarized.

• Colostrum MFGM contains more acute phase proteins, whereas mature milk has higher levels of mucins (1 and 15), ADPH, XDH, and FABP.

• Health benefits of MFGM proteins, including intestinal development, neurodevelopment, and immune activity enhancement, are summarized.

• MFGM proteins have been shown to significantly activate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, promoting cell proliferation and glycolipid metabolism.

Keywords:

• milk fat globule membrane proteins
• mammals
• lactations
• health benefits
• mechanism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant [numbers 32172279], Shenyang Scienceand technology innovation platform project [numbers 21–103-014,21–104-0–28], Shenyang Agricultural University Talent Introduction (High Level) Research Initiation Fee Project [numbers 2023YJRC002].