Lectins-Robust and Quintessential Proteins of Nature

Recent advances in glycobiology have proclaimed that cell surface saccharides play a pivotal role in recognition events. More accurately, these saccharides may be complexed by lectins. Lectins are saccharide binding proteins that are highly specific for sugar moieties of other molecules. They are ubiquitous in nature. They are diverse proteins with spectacular potential and overwhelming medical applications. Hence, there is quest for identification of new lectins and their precise mechanism of action with specific ligands. In this review, main features of lectins are succinctly described with emphasis on ligand binding and therapeutic applications.