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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
08:53
Biochemical and Structural Characterization of the Carbohydrate Transport Substrate-binding-protein SP0092
Published on: October 2, 2017
Lectin-like proteins in model organisms: implications for evolution of carbohydrate-binding activity.
1Glycobiology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
Glycobiology
|June 27, 2001
Summary
Intracellular lectins involved in glycoprotein trafficking are found across diverse species, from yeast to vertebrates. Cell surface lectin functions, however, show distinct evolutionary paths in different animal groups.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Intracellular lectins recognizing core-type structures are conserved across vertebrates, invertebrates (Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster), plants, and yeasts.
- These lectins play a crucial role in intracellular glycoprotein trafficking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary conservation and divergence of lectin functions across different taxa.
- To compare the roles of intracellular and cell surface lectins in various organisms.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of lectin gene families across diverse species.
- Functional studies on lectin-mediated processes in model organisms.
Main Results:
- Intracellular lectins with conserved functions in glycoprotein trafficking are widespread.
- Cell surface lectins (C-type lectins, galectins) exhibit functional divergence in different animal lineages despite recognizing similar complex structures.
Conclusions:
- The fundamental mechanisms of intracellular glycoprotein trafficking mediated by lectins show deep evolutionary conservation.
- The functional evolution of cell surface lectins has been shaped by lineage-specific adaptations.
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