Lectins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis – rarely studied proteins

Abstract

The importance of bacterial lectins for adhesion, pathogenicity, and biofilm formation is well established for many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. However, there is very little information available about lectins of the tuberculosis-causing bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). In this paper we review previous studies on the carbohydrate-binding characteristics of mycobacteria and related Mtb proteins, discussing their potential relevance to Mtb infection and pathogenesis.

Keywords

• adhesion
• carbohydrates
• fimbriae
• lectins
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• pili