Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
20:23
A Lectin HPLC Method to Enrich Selectively-glycosylated Peptides from Complex Biological Samples
Published on: October 1, 2009
Lectins: from basic science to clinical application in cancer prevention.
M Jordinson1, J Calam, M Pignatelli
1Division of Investigative Science, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 ONN, UK.
Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
|July 5, 2005
Summary
Lectins, proteins that bind carbohydrates, show promise in cancer therapy by targeting tumor cells. Research explores their role in inhibiting tumor growth and their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Lectin-carbohydrate interactions are fundamental to numerous physiological processes.
- Lectins are being investigated for their potential to inhibit tumor growth by targeting specific carbohydrate structures on cancer cells.
- Glycosylated cell-surface molecules, such as growth factor receptors, are potential targets for lectin binding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted roles of lectins in biological systems, with a focus on their anti-tumorigenic potential.
- To investigate the cell-type and lectin-specific effects of certain lectins on intestinal epithelial cell proliferation.
- To highlight the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications of mammalian lectins in oncology.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on lectin-carbohydrate interactions and their physiological roles.
- Analysis of studies investigating lectin binding to cancer cell surface glycans.
- Examination of research on lectin effects on intestinal epithelial cell proliferation in various models.
Main Results:
- Lectins can bind to specific carbohydrate motifs on cancer cells, potentially inhibiting tumor growth.
- Certain lectins exhibit cell-type specific effects on intestinal epithelial cell proliferation.
- Mammalian lectins are implicated in cell adhesion, differentiation, immune responses, and cancer cell detection.
Conclusions:
- Lectins possess significant potential for cancer therapy, diagnosis, and prognosis.
- Targeting lectin-carbohydrate interactions offers a promising strategy for developing novel anti-cancer agents.
- Ongoing development of new plant and mammalian lectins aims to enhance their utility in targeting tumor cells.
Related Concept Videos
02:59Cancer Prevention
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
01:15Activation of Integrins
Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
01:25Selectins
Cell adhesion is an essential aspect of multicellularity. While stable cell interactions usually occur between cells of the same type, transient cell interactions occur between cells of different tissue types, such as between neutrophils and endothelial cells. Selectins are one class of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that bind carbohydrate ligands to form transient cell adhesion. They are rod-like proteins with a long extracellular part of variable length ending with the lectin domain, which...
02:59Cancer Prevention
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
01:22Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.