Exploring structural characteristics and biological effects of the lectin from Dioclea violacea Mart. Ex Benth: an...

Lectins are natural proteins vital for organism survival, recognized for their specific carbohydrate-binding property. This unique characteristic enables diverse biotechnological applications, making them molecules of significant scientific interest. In this sense, hololectin DVL, a lectin found in the seeds of the fruit of the woody vine Dioclea violacea, has a multimeric structure that confers it several biological properties, including antinociceptive, entomotoxic, angiogenic, immunomodulatory, vasorelaxant, antibacterial, antiprotozoal and anti-inflammatory. However, their mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. This study aimed to review the available literature on the biological and structural properties of the lectin from Dioclea violacea, emphasizing its functions and properties that can be exploited through the mechanisms already proposed. This study reports the results of an integrative review based on 21 published articles selected from the databases of the National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and CAPES Periodicals Portal. Through the analysis of the selected studies, we conclude that, although the number of studies dedicated to DVL is still limited, this lectin represents a potential biological tool in several areas, either through its direct application through the mechanism of recognition of cell surface glycans or through its modulating capacity of other molecules.