Lectin

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-006508",
  "term": "Lectin",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definitions": [
    "A protein that binds specific carbohydrate structures reversibly, without being an antibody and without chemically modifying the sugar it binds. Lectins occur in plants, animals, bacteria and viruses, and are classified by their carbohydrate-binding specificity. Concanavalin A, which binds mannose and glucose residues, is a classic plant example used in affinity chromatography and in lectin microarrays.",
    "A class of proteins, typically of plant or animal origin, that possess the ability to bind specifically and reversibly to carbohydrates and glycoconjugates without altering their covalent structure. This high specificity for sugar moieties allows them to mediate cell-cell recognition, adhesion, and signaling processes. Because they can bind to multiple cells simultaneously, many lectins are capable of causing agglutination, the clumping of cells such as erythrocytes."
  ],
  "subject": [
    "Analytical Chemistry",
    "Chemistry and the Environment"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "glycoprotein",
    "glycopeptides",
    "agglutination",
    "polysaccharides"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2018, 90, 1121. 'Terminology of bioanalytical methods (IUPAC Recommendations 2018)' on page 1174 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2016-1120)",
    "PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 158 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/lectin/"
}