Marine Drugs (Jun 2022)

An Update of Lectins from Marine Organisms: Characterization, Extraction Methodology, and Potential Biofunctional Applications

  • Mirja Kaizer Ahmmed,
  • Shuva Bhowmik,
  • Stephen G. Giteru,
  • Md. Nazmul Hasan Zilani,
  • Parise Adadi,
  • Shikder Saiful Islam,
  • Osman N. Kanwugu,
  • Monjurul Haq,
  • Fatema Ahmmed,
  • Charlene Cheuk Wing Ng,
  • Yau Sang Chan,
  • Md. Asadujjaman,
  • Gabriel Hoi Huen Chan,
  • Ryno Naude,
  • Alaa El-Din Ahmed Bekhit,
  • Tzi Bun Ng,
  • Jack Ho Wong

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/md20070430
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 7
p. 430

Abstract

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Lectins are a unique group of nonimmune carbohydrate-binding proteins or glycoproteins that exhibit specific and reversible carbohydrate-binding activity in a non-catalytic manner. Lectins have diverse sources and are classified according to their origins, such as plant lectins, animal lectins, and fish lectins. Marine organisms including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks produce a myriad of lectins, including rhamnose binding lectins (RBL), fucose-binding lectins (FTL), mannose-binding lectin, galectins, galactose binding lectins, and C-type lectins. The widely used method of extracting lectins from marine samples is a simple two-step process employing a polar salt solution and purification by column chromatography. Lectins exert several immunomodulatory functions, including pathogen recognition, inflammatory reactions, participating in various hemocyte functions (e.g., agglutination), phagocytic reactions, among others. Lectins can also control cell proliferation, protein folding, RNA splicing, and trafficking of molecules. Due to their reported biological and pharmaceutical activities, lectins have attracted the attention of scientists and industries (i.e., food, biomedical, and pharmaceutical industries). Therefore, this review aims to update current information on lectins from marine organisms, their characterization, extraction, and biofunctionalities.

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