Protozoa lectins and their role in host-pathogen interactions.
Lectins are proteins/glycoproteins of non-immune origin that agglutinate red blood cells, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, etc., and bind reversibly to carbohydrates present on the apposing cells. They have at least two carbohydrate binding sites and their binding can be inhibited by one or more carbohydrates. Owing to carbohydrate binding specificity of lectins, they mediate cell-cell interactions and play role in protozoan adhesion and host cell cytotoxicity, thus are central to the pathogenic property of the parasite. Several parasitic protozoa possess lectins which mediate parasite adherence to host cells based on their carbohydrate specificities. These interactions could be exploited for development of novel therapeutics, targeting the adherence and thus helpful in eradicating wide spread of protozoan diseases. The current review highlights the present state knowledge with regard to protozoal lectins with an emphasis on their haemagglutination activity, carbohydrate specificity, characteristics and also their role in pathogenesis notably as adhesion molecules, thereby aiding the pathogen in disease establishment.
Carbohydrate and Protein Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Punjabi University, Patiala, 147 002, Punjab, India. Electronic address: rssingh11@lycos.com.
Ram Sarup
RS
Singh
Carbohydrate and Protein Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Punjabi University, Patiala, 147 002, Punjab, India.
Amandeep Kaur
AK
Walia
Nanomedicine-Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biomedical Research (NLIMBR), School of Medicine (SoM), Centre for Molecular and Medical Research (C-MMR), Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia.
Jagat Rakesh
JR
Kanwar
D000818:Animals; D002241:Carbohydrates; D006384:Hemagglutination; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins; D051379:Mice; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000469:parasitology*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins
D002241:Carbohydrates; D037102:Lectins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins
Acanthamoeba; Adhesion molecules; Cryptosporidium; Entamoeba; Giardia; Haemagglutination; Host–pathogen; Lectin; Protozoa; Tritrichomonas