Tag: Carbohydrate binding

Found in virtually all living organisms, lectins are a widespread class of proteins or glycoproteins defined by their specific ability to bind to carbohydrates. This carbohydrate-binding property is central to their diverse biological roles, from cellular recognition to immune responses and protective mechanisms in plants. Understanding the molecular identity of lectin is essential for grasping its functions and its place in both biological systems and the food we consume.

Lectins are a class of carbohydrate-binding proteins found across the tree of life, from viruses and bacteria to plants and animals. This diverse group of proteins is uniquely specific to and interacts non-covalently with certain carbohydrate structures, playing crucial roles in biological recognition.