Lectins with Varying Specificity and Biological Activity from Marine Bivalves

Gal/GalNAc specific multiple lectins in marine bivalve Anadara granosa

“…Two lectins, Anadarine P and Anadarine MS had been reported from the plasma of A. granosa [25,26]. Earlier, we have mentioned the presence of four new lectins AGL-IA, AGL-IB, AGL-III and AGL-IV in the plasma of A. granosa [4]. In this communication purification, characterization and carbohydrate recognition profile of these four new lectins were elaborately described.…”

“…Molecular complexity and self-aggregation were very common in lectins that were isolated from hemolymph of marine clams. This particular trait of these molecules was believed to be caused by either post-translation modifications or effect of multiple genes [4]. Tridacnin, purified from the hemolymph of Tridacna maxima clam, has been reported to have molecular weight 470 kDa with subunits of 10, 20 and 40 kDa [9].…”

“…Because of diverse carbohydrate specificity of these lectins, recognition of vast array of microorganisms becomes possible. Therefore, it is relevant to believe that multiple lectins of diverse carbohydrate specificities present in the circulation of marine molluscs can also play important roles in their defense by recognizing a vast array of invading microorganisms [4]. Anadara granosa, a widely distributed and economically important marine clam, which belongs to the family arcidae, possesses blood corpuscles (hemocytes) containing hemoglobin that rarely occurred in invertebrates.…”

“…Different PRPs such as lectins, cytokines, nitric oxide synthases and antimicrobial peptides comprise innate immune systems of molluscs [1,2]. Among them, lectins play a crucial role in innate immunity by recognizing different patterns of carbohydrate exposed on microorganisms and subsequently trigger a series of protective immune responses [3,4]. Lectins from several marine bivalves were purified and characterized for their role as a crucial player in host defense against foreign substances [4e18].…”

Activity Dependence of a Novel Lectin Family on Structure and Carbohydrate-Binding Properties

“…[7]. The invertebrate humoral lectins have been proposed to act as opsonins, hemolysin, and sugar specific antibodies like molecules [8].…”