Bifidobacterium longum maltose-binding protein (MalE)

Bifidobacterium longum maltose-binding protein (MalE) is a solute-binding protein that serves as the primary extracellular component of the ABC transporter system dedicated to maltose and maltodextrin uptake (UniProt Q8G9S8). This protein is critical for the metabolic adaptation of B. longum to the human gastrointestinal tract, allowing the bacterium to efficiently scavenge dietary and host-derived carbohydrates (Schell et al., 2002, PNAS). By facilitating the transport of these sugars, MalE supports the growth and competitive persistence of this beneficial probiotic in the gut microbiome (Parche et al., 2007, J. Mol. Microbiol. Biotechnol.). While MalE is not a target for conventional antimicrobial or human-centric drugs, it is a key factor in the development of prebiotic and synbiotic formulations aimed at modulating the gut microbiota. Its function is essential for maintaining the population of B. longum, which plays a role in preventing gut dysbiosis and supporting immune homeostasis. Consequently, it is studied as a marker for probiotic fitness and as a potential tool for targeted delivery of glycans in microbiome engineering. As it is derived from a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) organism, it does not pose the safety risks typically associated with pathogenic bacterial proteins.

Other names

Maltose-binding periplasmic proteinMaltodextrin-binding proteinSolute-binding proteinBlMBP

Not applicable