Lectins
Lectins are nonenzymatic proteins present in plants and animals, which preferentially bind to specific carbohydrate structures and play an important role in cell recognition.
Features
References
van Kooyk Y, Appelmelk B, Geijtenbeek TB. A fatal attraction: Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV-1 target DC-SIGN to escape immune surveillance. Trends Mol Med. 2003 Apr;9(4):153-9. PMID: 12727141
Nangia-Makker P, Conklin J, Hogan V, Raz A. Carbohydrate-binding proteins in cancer, and their ligands as therapeutic agents. Trends Mol Med. 2002 Apr;8(4):187-92. PMID: 11927277