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Overview of Lectins

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Lectins

Abstract

Lectins are proteins that attach to carbohydrates and sugar-containing compounds in a particular and reversible manner, forming glycoconjugates in the process. Various evidences regarding their toxicity profile may be found throughout history, and it was once considered that lectins were only connected with poisonous components. However, recent research demonstrates that lectin science has advanced significantly, and their usage in studies of glycoprotein production, researching carbohydrates on cells/cell organelles, mapping neural pathways, anti-cancer medicines, and lymphocyte mitogenic activation is widely documented. In vivo and in vitro, lectins from viruses, bacteria, algae, mammals, and plants have been identified as modulators and tool markers; these molecules also have a role in mitotic induction and immunological responses, helping to the resolution of infections and inflammations. Despite the fact that lectins have piqued the interest of current researchers due to their therapeutic potential, there have been insufficient studies to date, and knowledge of lectins is limited to specific plants or animals. This chapter provides a detailed overview of lectins, beginning with their discovery and biological role, as well as an overview of their harmful consequences and therapeutic contributions.

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Abbreviations

ABL:

Agaricus bisporus lectin

BSL:

Bryothamnion seaforthii

CEA:

Carcinoembryonic antigen

CFL:

Cratylia floribunda

ClcNAc:

N-acetylglucosamine

Con A :

Concanavalin A

CRD:

Carbohydrate-recognition domain

CTLs:

C-type lectins

ERGIC:

53ER-Golgi intermediate compartment

Gal:

Galactose

Glc:

Glucose

IBS:

Irritable bowel syndrome

IT’S:

Immunotoxins

LacNac:

N-Acetyllactosamine

LC-5:

Levocetirizine-5 mg tablet

Man:

Mannose

MBL:

Mannose-binding lectin

MCF-7:

Michigan Cancer Foundation-7

MMP-9:

Matrix metallopeptidase

PHA:

Phytohemagglutinin

PNA:

Peanut agglutinin

SBA:

Soybean agglutinin

SFL:

S. flavescens lectin

Trp:

Tryptophan

Tyr:

Tyrosine

WGA:

Wheat germ agglutinin

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the kind support from, PG Research and Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology National College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.

Conflict of Interest. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. PG and Research Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, National College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India

    M. S. Prachi Vibhute, Mohamed Jaabir, S. Sangeetha Bharath & Jeyachandran Sivakamavalli

  2. Auxilium College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India

    M. S. Prachi Vibhute, Mohamed Jaabir, S. Sangeetha Bharath & Jeyachandran Sivakamavalli

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  1. M. S. Prachi Vibhute
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  2. Mohamed Jaabir
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  3. S. Sangeetha Bharath
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  4. Jeyachandran Sivakamavalli
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, Kerala, India

    Preetham Elumalai

  2. School of Ocean Science and Technology, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Cochin, Kerala, India

    Sreeja Lakshmi

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Prachi Vibhute, M.S., Jaabir, M., Sangeetha Bharath, S., Sivakamavalli, J. (2021). Overview of Lectins. In: Elumalai, P., Lakshmi, S. (eds) Lectins. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-7462-4_1

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