The liverwort contains a lectin that is structurally and evolutionary related to the monocot mannose-binding lectins.
A mannose (Man)-binding lectin has been isolated and characterized from the thallus of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. N-terminal sequencing indicated that the M. polymorpha agglutinin (Marpola) shares sequence similarity with the superfamily of monocot Man-binding lectins. Searches in the databases yielded expressed sequence tags encoding Marpola. Sequence analysis, molecular modeling, and docking experiments revealed striking structural similarities between Marpola and the monocot Man-binding lectins. Activity and specificity studies further indicated that Marpola is a much stronger agglutinin than the Galanthus nivalis agglutinin and exhibits a preference for methylated Man and glucose, which is unprecedented within the family of monocot Man-binding lectins. The discovery of Marpola allows us, for the first time, to corroborate the evolutionary relationship between a lectin from a lower plant and a well-established lectin family from flowering plants. In addition, the identification of Marpola sheds a new light on the molecular evolution of the superfamily of monocot Man-binding lectins. Beside evolutionary considerations, the occurrence of a G. nivalis agglutinin homolog in a lower plant necessitates the rethinking of the physiological role of the whole family of monocot Man-binding lectins.
Laboratory for Phytopathology and Plant Protection, Rega Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Willy J
WJ
Peumans
Annick
A
Barre
Julien
J
Bras
Pierre
P
Rougé
Paul
P
Proost
Els J M
EJ
Van Damme
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D037102:Lectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008358:Mannose / Q000378:metabolism; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein; D013045:Species Specificity
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D037102:Lectins; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D008358:Mannose