Surfactant protein D (SP-D), one of the members of the collectin family of C-type lectins, is an important component of pulmonary innate immunity. SP-D binds carbohydrates in a calcium-dependent manner, but the mechanisms governing its ligand recognition specificity are not well understood. SP-D binds glucose (Glc) stronger than N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). Structural superimposition of hSP-D ...

A previously undescribed bovine serum lectin (designated CL-43) was identified by its Ca(2+)-dependent binding to mannan and by its molecular mass of 43 kDa under reducing conditions on SDS-PAGE. The lectin was isolated by polyethylene glycol precipitation, affinity chromatography on mannan-Sepharose (followed by elution with EDTA), and absorption on Sepharose-4B-coupled rabbit anti-bovine Ig (...

Among Ca2+-dependent (C-type) animal lectins, the chicken hepatic lectin (CHL) is unique in displaying almost complete selectivity for N-acetylglucosamine over other monosaccharide ligands. The crystal structures of the carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) from serum mannose-binding protein (MBP) and of a complex between the CRD from liver MBP and the methyl glycoside of N-acetylglucosamine we...

Collectins are a family of calcium-dependent collagenous lectins that appear to be important in innate host defense. We investigated the ability of three human collectins, namely, lung surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) and the serum mannose-binding protein (MBP), to bind to the surface glycoproteins of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). SP-A was shown to bind to the F (fusion) glycoprot...

The human mannose-binding protein (MBP) plays a role in first line host defense against certain pathogens. It is an acute phase protein that exists in serum as a multimer of a 32-kD subunit. The NH2 terminus is rich in cysteines that mediate interchain disulphide bonds and stabilize the second collagen-like region. This is followed by a short intervening region, and the carbohydrate recognition...

one of the important parts of innate immunity is complement system that occurs in three different ways; the classic, the alternative and the lectin pathway. the four pattern recognition molecules that have been identified till now are mannose binding lectin (mbl), a component of lectin pathway, and three ficolins (ficolin1,-2 and -3) which compound to the carbohydrates of the cell surface. mbl ...

A sweet water-soluble protein that reminds stable over wide ranges of temperature and pH, Brazzein has various applications. Its tastes like cane sugar but have no calories. However, the extraction of brazzein from its natural source is expensive and not applicable. In this study we used recombinant DNA technology to provide an alternative option for cheaper mass production of brazzein. A brazz...

background: fascioliasis is a chronic hepatic disease and may be resulted from mechani­cal/molecular parasite adhesion to host liver tissue. the aim of this study was to detect surface car­bohydrate and lectin, carbohydrate-binding protein isolation that might be responsible of this molecular binding. methods: the present experimental work was conducted in the department of medical parasitol­og...