Snake venom C-type lectins as tools in platelet research.
The snake C-type lectins are a major group of proteins present in venoms that fold to a structure with similarities to classic C-type lectins. The loop that would be involved in calcium and sugar binding is truncated and heterodimers are linked by a disulphide bond and by swapping loop domains between the subunits. M any of these C-type lectins interact with platelet receptors to inhibit or induce platelet activation. The use of these C-type lectins to investigate platelet function is discussed and illustrated with specific examples.
Clemetson
K J
KJ
Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Berne, Switzerland. clemetson@tki.unibe.ch
Polgár
J
J
Clemetson
J M
JM