The Role of Ovalbumin in Manganese Homeostasis during Chick Embryogenesis: An EPR Spectroscopic Study.

ABSTRACT: Ovalbumin (OVA), a protein vital for chick embryo nutrition, hydration, and antimicrobial protection, together with other egg-white proteins, migrates to the amniotic fluid and is orally absorbed by the embryo during embryogenesis. Recently, it has been shown that for optimal eggshell quality, the hen diet can be supplemented with manganese. Although essential for embryonic development, manganese in excess causes neurotoxicity. This study investigates whether OVA may be involved in the regulation of manganese levels. The binding of Mn(II) to OVA was investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The results show that OVA binds a maximum of two Mn(II) ions, one with slightly weaker affinity, even in a 10-fold excess, suggesting it may have a protective role from Mn(I

SUBMITTER: Veskovic A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11243369 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature