[Plant lectin and its application in insect-resistant plant genetic engineering]

Plant lectins are proteins possessing at least one non-catalytic domain that binds reversibly to specific mono-or oligosaccharides. They distinguish themselves from other plant proteins by the ability of carbohydrate binding. Most plant lectins are directed to bind foreign polysaccharide. Plant lectin is believed to take part in the defense responses against invader. In this paper we presented a review on the classification, characters, functions, crystal structure and,functions related to the carbohydrate binding activity. The status and prospect of plant lectins utilization were also discussed.