title: Function and heterogeneity of fish lectins.
abstract: Lectins are primordial molecules with multiple known functions. They have been known to exist in fish and other animals for decades and were initially identified as (hem)agglutinins. Demonstration of the importance of vertebrate lectins in innate immunity is a recent effort and is still largely unrealised for fish. This mini-review will tabulate those fish lectins identified since the last major review. In addition, particular lectins for which either functional relevance or functional or structural heterogeneity has been demonstrated are discussed in greater detail.
authors.affiliation: Fish Pathology Laboratory, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont., Canada N1G 2W1.
authors.forename: Spencer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lumsden
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005399:Fishes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D037102:Lectins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins; D020033:Protein Isoforms