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Lectins: From Basic Science to Application for Glycobiology, Cell Biology, and Medicine

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2018) | Viewed by 27866

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Lab. of Enzymology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 AzaAoba Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8572, Japan
Interests: protein engineering; snake venom; lectin; biomineralization

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Guest Editor
Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 2, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568, Japan
Interests: lectins; glycans, stem cells; regenerative medicine; drug discovery; diagnosis; exosome; cancer stem cells

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our great pleasure to inform you that a Special Issue on “Lectins: From Basic Science to Application for Glycobiology, Cell Biology, and Medicine” will be published in the journal Molecules. Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins, which recognize the specific carbohydrate structures expressed on cells and mediate various physiological and pathological phenomenon through cell-cell and host-pathogen communications. Lectins are useful as research tools for glycomic analysis, and cell identification/separation. They were also demonstrated to be applied as cargo to deliver drugs inside cells, such as stem cells and tumor cells.

In this Special Issue, we focused on lectins from basics to applications for glycobiology, cell biology, and medicine.

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Keywords

  • lectin
  • carbohydrate
  • glycome
  • cell recognition

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2848 KiB  
Article
Sialic Acid-Binding Lectin from Bullfrog Eggs Exhibits an Anti-Tumor Effect Against Breast Cancer Cells Including Triple-Negative Phenotype Cells
by Takeo Tatsuta, Shoko Sato, Toshiyuki Sato, Shigeki Sugawara, Tsuneyoshi Suzuki, Akiyoshi Hara and Masahiro Hosono
Molecules 2018, 23(10), 2714; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23102714 - 21 Oct 2018
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4371
Abstract
Sialic acid-binding lectin from Rana catesbeiana eggs (cSBL) is a multifunctional protein that has lectin and ribonuclease activity. In this study, the anti-tumor activities of cSBL were assessed using a panel of breast cancer cell lines. cSBL suppressed the cell growth of all [...] Read more.
Sialic acid-binding lectin from Rana catesbeiana eggs (cSBL) is a multifunctional protein that has lectin and ribonuclease activity. In this study, the anti-tumor activities of cSBL were assessed using a panel of breast cancer cell lines. cSBL suppressed the cell growth of all cancer cell lines tested here at a concentration that is less toxic, or not toxic at all, to normal cells. The growth suppressive effect was attributed to the cancer-selective induction of apoptosis. We assessed the expressions of several key molecules associated with the breast cancer phenotype after cSBL treatment by western blotting. cSBL decreased the expression level of estrogen receptor (ER) α, while it increased the phosphorylation level of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). cSBL also suppressed the expression of the progesterone receptor (PgR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2). Furthermore, it was revealed that cSBL decreases the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/HER1) in triple-negative breast cancer cells. These results indicate that cSBL induces apoptosis with decreasing ErbB family proteins and may have great potential for breast cancer chemotherapy, particularly in triple-negative phenotype cells. Full article
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10 pages, 13355 KiB  
Article
Expression of Pinellia pedatisecta Lectin Gene in Transgenic Wheat Enhances Resistance to Wheat Aphids
by Xiaoliang Duan, Qiling Hou, Guoyu Liu, Xiaomeng Pang, Zhenli Niu, Xiao Wang, Yufeng Zhang, Baoyun Li and Rongqi Liang
Molecules 2018, 23(4), 748; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040748 - 24 Mar 2018
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4427
Abstract
Wheat aphids are major pests during the seed filling stage of wheat. Plant lectins are toxic to sap-sucking pests such as wheat aphids. In this study, Pinellia pedatisecta agglutinin (ppa), a gene encoding mannose binding lectin, was cloned, and it shared [...] Read more.
Wheat aphids are major pests during the seed filling stage of wheat. Plant lectins are toxic to sap-sucking pests such as wheat aphids. In this study, Pinellia pedatisecta agglutinin (ppa), a gene encoding mannose binding lectin, was cloned, and it shared 92.69% nucleotide similarity and 94% amino acid similarity with Pinellia ternata agglutinin (pta). The ppa gene, driven by the constitutive and phloem-specific ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit gene (rbcs) promoter in pBAC-rbcs-ppa expression vector, was transferred into the wheat cultivar Baofeng104 (BF104) by particle bombardment transformation. Fifty-four T0 transgenic plants were generated. The inheritance and expression of the ppa gene were confirmed by PCR and RT-PCR analysis respectively, and seven homozygous transgenic lines were obtained. An aphid bioassay on detached leaf segments revealed that seven ppa transgenic wheat lines had lower aphid growth rates and higher inhibition rates than BF104. Furthermore, two-year aphid bioassays in isolated fields showed that aphid numbers per tiller of transgenic lines were significantly decreased, compared with wild type BF104. Therefore, ppa could be a strong biotechnological candidate to produce aphid-resistant wheat. Full article
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Review

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11 pages, 6744 KiB  
Review
Lectin-Based Assay for Glycoform-Specific Detection of α2,6-sialylated Transferrin and Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Tissue and Body Fluid
by Hiromi Ito, Kyoka Hoshi, Takashi Honda and Yasuhiro Hashimoto
Molecules 2018, 23(6), 1314; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23061314 - 30 May 2018
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4293
Abstract
Antibodies are useful for detecting glycoprotein antigens, but a conventional antibody recognizes only a protein epitope rather than a glycan. Thus, glycan isoform detection generally requires time- and labor-consuming processes such as lectin affinity column chromatography followed by sandwich ELISA. We recently found [...] Read more.
Antibodies are useful for detecting glycoprotein antigens, but a conventional antibody recognizes only a protein epitope rather than a glycan. Thus, glycan isoform detection generally requires time- and labor-consuming processes such as lectin affinity column chromatography followed by sandwich ELISA. We recently found antigen-antibody reactions that were inhibited by lectin binding to glycans on the glycoprotein antigen, leading to a convenient glycoform-specific assay. Indeed, Sambucus sieboldiana agglutinin (SSA) lectin, a binder to sialylα2,6galactose residue, inhibited antibody binding to α2,6-sialylated transferrin (Tf) (SSA inhibition). SSA inhibition was not observed with other glycoforms, such as periodate-treated, sialidase-treated and sialidase/galactosidase-treated Tf, suggesting that the assay was glycoform-specific. SSA inhibition was also applicable for visualizing localization of α2,6-sialylated-Tf in a liver section. This is the first immunohistochemical demonstration of glycoform localization in a tissue section. SSA inhibition was utilized for establishing ELISA to quantify α2,6-sialylated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a marker for various cancers. In addition, α2,6-sialylated-CEA was visualized in a colonic adenocarcinoma section by SSA inhibition. The method would further be applicable to a simple and rapid estimation of other α2,6-sialylated glycoproteins and have a potential aid to histopathological diagnosis. Full article
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14 pages, 1939 KiB  
Review
The Double Face of Mucin-Type O-Glycans in Lectin-Mediated Infection and Immunity
by Vasily Morozov, Julia Borkowski and Franz-Georg Hanisch
Molecules 2018, 23(5), 1151; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23051151 - 11 May 2018
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4965
Abstract
Epithelial human blood group antigens (HBGAs) on O-glycans play roles in pathogen binding and the initiation of infection, while similar structures on secretory mucins exert protective functions. These double-faced features of O-glycans in infection and innate immunity are reviewed based on two instructive [...] Read more.
Epithelial human blood group antigens (HBGAs) on O-glycans play roles in pathogen binding and the initiation of infection, while similar structures on secretory mucins exert protective functions. These double-faced features of O-glycans in infection and innate immunity are reviewed based on two instructive examples of bacterial and viral pathogens. Helicobacter pylori represents a class 1 carcinogen in the human stomach. By expressing blood group antigen-binding adhesin (BabA) and LabA adhesins that bind to Lewis-b and LacdiNAc, respectively, H. pylori colocalizes with the mucin MUC5AC in gastric surface epithelia, but not with MUC6, which is cosecreted with trefoil factor family 2 (TFF2) by deep gastric glands. Both components of the glandular secretome are concertedly up-regulated upon infection. While MUC6 expresses GlcNAc-capped glycans as natural antibiotics for H. pylori growth control, TFF2 may function as a probiotic lectin. In viral infection human noroviruses of the GII genogroup interact with HBGAs via their major capsid protein, VP1. HBGAs on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) may exert protective functions by binding to the P2 domain pocket on the capsid. We discuss structural details of the P2 carbohydrate-binding pocket in interaction with blood group H/Lewis-b HMOs and fucoidan-derived oligofucoses as effective interactors for the most prevalent norovirus strains, GII.4 and GII.17. Full article
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12 pages, 237 KiB  
Review
Functional Aspects of Fish Mucosal Lectins—Interaction with Non-Self
by Monica Fengsrud Brinchmann, Deepti Manjari Patel, Nevil Pinto and Martin Haugmo Iversen
Molecules 2018, 23(5), 1119; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23051119 - 9 May 2018
Cited by 36 | Viewed by 4185
Abstract
Mucosal surfaces are of key importance in protecting animals against external threats including pathogens. In the mucosal surfaces, host molecules interact with non-self to prevent infection and disease. Interestingly, both inhibition and stimulation of uptake hinder infection. In this review, the current knowledgebase [...] Read more.
Mucosal surfaces are of key importance in protecting animals against external threats including pathogens. In the mucosal surfaces, host molecules interact with non-self to prevent infection and disease. Interestingly, both inhibition and stimulation of uptake hinder infection. In this review, the current knowledgebase on teleost mucosal lectins’ ability to interact with non-self is summarised with a focus on agglutination, growth inhibition, opsonisation, cell adhesion, and direct killing activities. Further research on lectins is essential, both to understand the immune system of fishes, since they rely more on the innate immune system than mammals, and also to explore these molecules’ antibiotic and antiparasitic activities against veterinary and human pathogens. Full article
14 pages, 486 KiB  
Review
Expression, Distribution, and Role of C-Type Lectin Receptors in the Human and Animal Middle Ear and Eustachian Tube: A Review
by Su Young Jung, Sung Su Kim, Young Il Kim, Hee Yong Chung, Sang Hoon Kim and Seung Geun Yeo
Molecules 2018, 23(4), 734; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040734 - 22 Mar 2018
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4822
Abstract
Otitis media (OM) is a group of inflammatory diseases of the middle ear (ME), regardless of cause or pathological mechanism. Among the molecular biological studies assessing the pathology of OM are investigations into the expression of C-type lectin receptors (CLR) in the ME [...] Read more.
Otitis media (OM) is a group of inflammatory diseases of the middle ear (ME), regardless of cause or pathological mechanism. Among the molecular biological studies assessing the pathology of OM are investigations into the expression of C-type lectin receptors (CLR) in the ME and Eustachian tube (ET). To date, nine studies have evaluated CLR expression in the ME and ET. The expression of individual CLRs in mammalian ME and ET varies by species and model of OM. Assessments have shown that the patterns of CLR expression in the ME and ET vary; that CLR expression may vary by type of OM; and that the distribution and levels of expression of CLRs may depend on the presence or absence of inflammation, with variations even within the same species and same tissue. Infection of the ME and ET with various pathogens is a common cause of all types of OM, with host responses to pathogens mediated initially by the innate immune system. CLRs are important factors in the innate immune system because they act as both adhesion molecules and as pathogen recognition receptors. The expression of CLRs in OM tissues suggests that CLRs are associated with the pathogenesis of various types of OM. Full article
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