Effect of Proteolytic Enzymes on the Binding of Cobalamin to R Protein and Intrinsic Factor: IN VITRO EVIDENCE THAT A FAILURE TO PARTIALLY DEGRADER PROTEIN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COBALAMIN MALABSORPTION IN PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY

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Abstract

Cobalamin (Cbl; vitamin B12) malabsorption in pancreatic insufficiency can be partially corrected by bicarbonate and completely corrected by pancreatic proteases but the mechanisms involved are unknown. Because saliva contains enough R-type Cbl-binding protein (R protein) to bind all of the dietary and biliary Cbl, it is possible that R protein acts as an inhibitor of Cbl absorption and that pancreatic proteases are required to alter R protein and prevent such inhibition. To test this hypothesis we studied the ability of R protein and intrinsic factor (IF) to compete for Cbl binding and ability of pancreatic proteases to alter this competition.

Authors

Robert H. Allen, Bellur Seetharam, Elaine Podell, David H. Alpers