Open AccessBiological role of lectins: A review
Author(s) -
Kunal Kumar,
K Lalith Prakash Chandra,
J Sumanthi,
G. Sridhar Reddy,
P Chandra Shekar,
B Srikanth Reddy
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of orofacial sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.171
H-Index - 6
eISSN - 2320-4737
pISSN - 0975-8844
DOI - 10.4103/0975-8844.99883
Subject(s) - lectin , biochemistry , tetramer , glycoprotein , carbohydrate , biology , chemistry , glycobiology , glycan , enzyme
Lectins comprise a stracturally vary diverse class of proteins charecterized by their ability to selectively bind carbohydrate moieties of the glycoproteins of the cell surface. Lectins may be derived from plants, microbial or animal sources and may be soluble or membrane bound. Lectins is a tetramer made up of four nearly identical subunits. In human, lectins have been reported to cause food poisoning, hemolytic anemia, jaundice, digestive distress, protein and carbohydrate malabsorption and type I allergies. The present review focuses on the classification, structures, biological significance and application of lectins