Lectin Structure−Activity: The Story Is Never Over

Abstract

Advances in plant lectin biochemistry have made great strides during the past decade. Technical advances in biophysical techniques and molecular biology, the availability of synthetic oligosaccharides, and characterization of lectins with unique carbohydrate-binding properties are responsible for these advances. Studies in this laboratory support the view that interesting new discoveries are yet to be made. A new lectin was recently isolated from a fungus (Polyporous squamosus) that recognizes the Neu5Ac α2,6 Gal β1,4 GlcNAc/Glc trisaccharide epitope with high affinity. The lectin does not interact with α2,3-linked Neu5Ac or Neu5Ac α2,6 GalNAc groups as occur in ovine submaxillary mucin. An unusual lectin with two distinctly different carbohydrate-binding sites is present in tubers of Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L). One species of sites recognizes clusters of oligomannosyl residues. The other type of binding site best accommodates a nonsialylated, triantennary oligosaccharide having LacNAc or Lacto-N-biose (Gal β1,3GlcNAc) groups at its three nonreducing termini. The banana lectin has also been studied. It recognizes both α and β1,3-linked glucosyl oligosaccharides, generates a precipitin curve with the branched trisaccharide Man α1,6[Man α1,3]Man, and binds to β-glucans containing β1,6-glucosyl end groups. Keywords: Lectins; sialic acid-binding lectins; banana lectin; mushroom lectin