Messages From the Past: New Insights in Plant Lectin Evolution

Omics-driven bioinformatics for plant lectins discovery and functional annotation - A comprehensive review

Lectins are known for their specific and reversible binding capacity to carbohydrates. These molecules have been particularly explored in plants due to their reported properties, highlighting antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, antiparasitic, insecticidal, and immunoregulatory actions. The increasing availability of lectin and lectin-like sequences in omics data banks provides an opportunity to identify important candidates, inferring their roles in essential signaling pathways and processes in plants. Bioinformatics enables a fast and low-cost scenario for elucidating sequences and predicting functions in the lectinology universe. Thus, this review addresses the state of the art of annotation, structural characterization, classification, and predicted applications of plant lectins. Their allergenic and toxic properties are also discussed, as well as tools for predicting such effects from the primary structure. This review uncovers a promising scenario for plant lectins and new study possibilities, particularly for studies in lectinology in the omics era.

Revisiting legume lectins: Structural organization and carbohydrate-binding properties

Legume lectins are a diverse family of carbohydrate-binding proteins that share significant similarities in their primary, secondary, and tertiary structures, yet exhibit remarkable variability in their quaternary structures and carbohydrate-binding specificities. The tertiary structure of legume lectins, characterized by a conserved β-sandwich fold, provides the scaffold for the formation of a carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) responsible for ligand binding. The structural basis for the binding is similar between members of the family, with key residues interacting with the sugar through hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and van der Waals forces. Variability in substructures and residues within the CRD are responsible for the large array of specificities and enable legume lectins to recognize diverse sugar structures, while maintaining a consistent structural fold. Therefore, legume lectins can be classified into several specificity groups based on their preferred ligands, including mannose/glucose-specific, N-acetyl-d-galactosamine/galactose-specific, N-acetyl-d-glucosamine-specific, l-fucose-specific, and α-2,3 sialic acid-specific lectins. In this context, this review examined the structural aspects and carbohydrate-binding properties of representative legume lectins and their specific ligands in detail. Understanding the structure/binding relationships of lectins continues to provide valuable insights into their biological roles, while also assisting in the potential applications of these proteins in glycobiology, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

Carbohydrate-Binding Mechanism of the Coagulant Lectin from Moringa oleifera Seeds (cMoL) Is Related to the Dimeric Protein Structure

This study characterized the binding mechanisms of the lectin cMoL (from Moringa oleifera seeds) to carbohydrates using spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD). The interaction with carbohydrates was studied by evaluating lectin fluorescence emission after titration with glucose or galactose (2.0-11 mM). The Stern-Volmer constant (Ksv), binding constant (Ka), Gibbs free energy (∆G), and Hill coefficient were calculated. After the urea-induced denaturation of cMoL, evaluations were performed using fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), and hemagglutinating activity (HA) evaluations. The MD simulations were performed using the Amber 20 package. The decrease in Ksv revealed that cMoL interacts with carbohydrates via a static mechanism. The cMoL bound carbohydrates spontaneously (ΔG < 0) and presented a Ka on the order of 102, with high selectivity for glucose. Protein-ligand complexes were stabilized by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The Hill parameter (h~2) indicated that the binding occurs through the cMoL dimer. The loss of HA at urea concentrations at which the fluorescence and CD spectra indicated protein monomerization confirmed these results. The MD simulations revealed that glucose bound to the large cavity formed between the monomers. In conclusion, the biotechnological application of cMoL lectin requires specific methods or media to improve its dimeric protein structure.

Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA): Its Nature, Biological Role, Significance in Human Nutrition, and Possibility to Be Used as Marker of Whole-Grain Status in Wheat-Based Foods

The growing scientific evidence on the health benefits of whole-grain food consumption has promoted the manufacturing of a great number of products differing in quality and content of whole-grain components. This is particularly true for commercial wheat-based products where it is not always clear how much whole wheat is present considering that in many cases, they are manufactured from reconstituted mill streams and that there is not a standardised globally accepted definition and metrics to objectively evaluate whole-grain status. Attempts have been made to assess the level of "wholegraininess" in wheat products by measuring specific constituents that correlate with different wheat tissues, especially those that are expected to be found in a true whole-grain wheat product. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a small lectin protein present exclusively in the wheat-germ tissues, has been indicated by several scientists as one of these constituents and after founding that its level changes depending on the amount of germ found in a wheat flour, it has been indicated as a biomarker of whole-grain status for wheat products. In this review, the biochemistry of WGA, its methods of detection, and current knowledge on its possibility to be practically utilized as a reliable marker are critically discussed.

Genome-wide identification and analysis of monocot-specific chimeric jacalins (MCJ) genes in Maize (Zea mays L.)

BACKGROUND

The monocot chimeric jacalins (MCJ) proteins, which contain a jacalin-related lectin (JRL) domain and a dirigent domain (DIR), are specific to Poaceae. MCJ gene family is reported to play an important role in growth, development and stress response. However, their roles in maize have not been thoroughly investigated.

RESULTS

In this study, eight MCJ genes in the maize genome (designated as ZmMCJs) were identified, which displayed unequal distribution across four chromosomes. Phylogenetic relationships between the ZmMCJs were evident through the identification of highly conserved motifs and gene structures. Analysis of transcriptome data revealed distinct expression patterns among the ZmMCJ genes, leading to their classification into four different modules, which were subsequently validated using RT-qPCR. Protein structures of the same module are found to be relatively similar. Subcellular localization experiments indicated that the ZmMCJs are mainly located on the cell membrane. Additionally, hemagglutination and inhibition experiments show that only part of the ZmMCJs protein has lectin activity, which is mediated by the JRL structure, and belongs to the mannose-binding type. The cis-acting elements in the promoter region of ZmMCJ genes predicted their involvement response to phytohormones, such as abscisic acid and jasmonic acid. This suggests that ZmMCJ genes may play a significant role in both biotic and abiotic stress responses.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this study adds new insights into our understanding of the gene-protein architecture, evolutionary characteristics, expression profiles, and potential functions of MCJ genes in maize.

Genomes of multicellular algal sisters to land plants illuminate signaling network evolution

Zygnematophyceae are the algal sisters of land plants. Here we sequenced four genomes of filamentous Zygnematophyceae, including chromosome-scale assemblies for three strains of Zygnema circumcarinatum. We inferred traits in the ancestor of Zygnematophyceae and land plants that might have ushered in the conquest of land by plants: expanded genes for signaling cascades, environmental response, and multicellular growth. Zygnematophyceae and land plants share all the major enzymes for cell wall synthesis and remodifications, and gene gains shaped this toolkit. Co-expression network analyses uncover gene cohorts that unite environmental signaling with multicellular developmental programs. Our data shed light on a molecular chassis that balances environmental response and growth modulation across more than 600 million years of streptophyte evolution.

Mannose-specific plant and microbial lectins as antiviral agents: A review

Lectins are non-immunological carbohydrate-binding proteins classified on the basis of their structure, origin, and sugar specificity. The binding specificity of such proteins with the surface glycan moiety determines their activity and clinical applications. Thus, lectins hold great potential as diagnostic and drug discovery agents and as novel biopharmaceutical products. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in understanding plant and microbial lectins as therapeutic agents against various viral diseases. Among them, mannose-specific lectins have being proven as promising antiviral agents against a variety of viruses, such as HIV, Influenza, Herpes, Ebola, Hepatitis, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-1 (SARS-CoV-1), Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and most recent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The binding of mannose-binding lectins (MBLs) from plants and microbes to high-mannose containing N-glycans (which may be simple or complex) of glycoproteins found on the surface of viruses has been found to be highly specific and mainly responsible for their antiviral activity. MBLs target various steps in the viral life cycle, including viral attachment, entry and replication. The present review discusses the brief classification and structure of lectins along with antiviral activity of various mannose-specific lectins from plants and microbial sources and their diagnostic and therapeutic applications against viral diseases.

Genome-wide analysis of lectins in cyanobacteria: from evolutionary mode to motif patterns

Lectins are glycoproteins that can bind to specific carbohydrates, and different lectin families exhibit different biological activities. They are also present in the cyanobacteria and many of them have shown excellent therapeutic effect, which deserve for bioprospecting. However, in comparison to those from terrestrial plants, the current knowledge on cyanobacterial lectins is very limited. To this end, genome-wide analyses were performed to find out their evolutionary mode and motif patterns in 316 genomes of representative taxa. In results, 196 putative cyanobacterial lectins were dig out and 105 of them were classified into known families. Seven lectins were found to be belonged to distinct two lectin families, and they may have the potential activities of both lectin families. Whereas no MFP-2, Chitin, and Nictaba family lectins were found. What's more, the Legume lectin-like lectin family was found to be the richest and most complex in cyanobacteria, which could be a main research direction for future cyanobacterial lectin bioprospecting and development. Our classification and prediction of cyanobacteria lectins is expected to provide assistance in the development of lectin-based medicine and provide solutions to the current thorny viral and tumor diseases in humans.

Non-seed plants are emerging gene sources for agriculture and insect control proteins

The non-seed plants (e.g., charophyte algae, bryophytes, and ferns) have multiple human uses, but their contributions to agriculture and research have lagged behind seed plants. While sharing broadly conserved biology with seed plants and the major crops, non-seed plants sometimes possess alternative molecular and physiological adaptations. These adaptations may guide crop improvements. One such area is the presence of multiple classes of insecticidal proteins found in non-seed plant genomes which are either absent or widely diverged in seed plants. There are documented uses of non-seed plants, and ferns for example have been used in human diets. Among the occasional identifiable toxins or antinutritive components present in non-seed plants, none include these insecticidal proteins. Apart from these discrete risk factors which can be addressed in the safety assessment, there should be no general safety concern about sourcing genes from non-seed plant species.

Emerging Roles of Receptor-like Protein Kinases in Plant Response to Abiotic Stresses

The productivity of plants is hindered by unfavorable conditions. To perceive stress signals and to transduce these signals to intracellular responses, plants rely on membrane-bound receptor-like kinases (RLKs). These play a pivotal role in signaling events governing growth, reproduction, hormone perception, and defense responses against biotic stresses; however, their involvement in abiotic stress responses is poorly documented. Plant RLKs harbor an N-terminal extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and a C-terminal intracellular kinase domain. The ectodomains of these RLKs are quite diverse, aiding their responses to various stimuli. We summarize here the sub-classes of RLKs based on their domain structure and discuss the available information on their specific role in abiotic stress adaptation. Furthermore, the current state of knowledge on RLKs and their significance in abiotic stress responses is highlighted in this review, shedding light on their role in influencing plant-environment interactions and opening up possibilities for novel approaches to engineer stress-tolerant crop varieties.

Genome-Wide Mining of Selaginella moellendorffii for Hevein-like Lectins and Their Potential Molecular Mimicry with SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein

Multidisciplinary research efforts on potential COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutic candidates have increased since the pandemic outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019. This search has become imperative due to the increasing emergences and limited widely available medicines. The presence of bioactive anti-SARS-CoV-2 molecules was examined from various plant sources. Among them is a group of proteins called lectins that can bind carbohydrate moieties. In this article, we present ten novel, chitin-specific Hevein-like lectins that were derived from Selaginella moellendorffii v1.0's genome. The capacity of these lectin homologs to bind with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 was examined. Using the HDOCK server, 3D-modeled Hevein-domains were docked to the spike protein's receptor binding domain (RBD). The Smo446851, Smo125663, and Smo99732 interacted with Asn343-located complex N-glycan and RBD residues, respectively, with binding free energies of -17.5, -13.0, and -26.5 Kcal/mol. The molecular dynamics simulation using Desmond and the normal-state analyses via torsional coordinate association for the Smo99732-RBD complex using iMODS is characterized by overall higher stability and minimum deformity than the other lectin complexes. The three lectins interacting with carbohydrates were docked against five individual mutations that frequently occur in major SARS-CoV-2 variants. These were in the spike protein's receptor-binding motif (RBM), while Smo125663 and Smo99732 only interacted with the spike glycoprotein in a protein-protein manner. The precursors for the Hevein-like homologs underwent additional characterization, and their expressional profile in different tissues was studied. These in silico findings offered potential lectin candidates targeting key N-glycan sites crucial to the virus's virulence and infection.

Plant lectins: Classical molecules with emerging roles in stress tolerance

Biotic and abiotic stresses impose adverse effects on plant's development, growth, and production. For the past many years, researchers are trying to understand the stress induced responses in plants and decipher strategies to produce stress tolerant crops. It has been demonstrated that molecular networks encompassing an array of genes and functional proteins play a key role in generating responses to combat different stresses. Newly, there has been a resurgence of interest to explore the role of lectins in modulating various biological responses in plants. Lectins are naturally occurring proteins that form reversible linkages with their respective glycoconjugates. To date, several plant lectins have been recognized and functionally characterized. However, their involvement in stress tolerance is yet to be comprehensively analyzed in greater detail. The availability of biological resources, modern experimental tools, and assay systems has provided a fresh impetus for plant lectin research. Against this backdrop, the present review provides background information on plant lectins and recent knowledge on their crosstalks with other regulatory mechanisms, which play a remarkable role in plant stress amelioration. It also highlights their versatile role and suggests that adding more information to this under-explored area will usher in a new era of crop improvement.

Growing Maize Root: Lectins Involved in Consecutive Stages of Cell Development

Proteins that carry specific carbohydrate-binding lectin domains have a great variety and are ubiquitous across the plant kingdom. In turn, the plant cell wall has a complex carbohydrate composition, which is subjected to constant changes in the course of plant development. In this regard, proteins with lectin domains are of great interest in the context of studying their contribution to the tuning and monitoring of the cell wall during its modifications in the course of plant organ development. We performed a genome-wide screening of lectin motifs in the Zea mays genome and analyzed the transcriptomic data from five zones of primary maize root with cells at different development stages. This allowed us to obtain 306 gene sequences encoding putative lectins and to relate their expressions to the stages of root cell development and peculiarities of cell wall metabolism. Among the lectins whose expression was high and differentially regulated in growing maize root were the members of the EUL, dirigent–jacalin, malectin, malectin-like, GNA and Nictaba families, many of which are predicted as cell wall proteins or lectin receptor-like kinases that have direct access to the cell wall. Thus, a set of molecular players was identified with high potential to play important roles in the early stages of root morphogenesis.

Lens culinaris agglutinin inhibits human hepatoma cell migration via mannose and fucose-mediated ERK1/2 and JNK1/2/3 signalling pathway

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the main types of primary liver cancer, which shows some abnormal glycosylation, such as the increase of fucose. Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), a natural plant lectin that can bind to mannose and fucose, has been reported to be antiproliferative to may tumors. However, the effect of LCA on the vitality and migration ability of human hepatoma cells is not demonstrated. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of LCA on vitality and migration in human hepatoma cells and its potential mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

LCA had no significant effect on viability of human hepatoma cells (HCCLM3, MHCC97L and HepG2) and hepatocytes (L02) by CCK-8 kit, but it could inhibit human hepatoma cells migration significantly without affecting hepatocytes by Transwell method. Sugar inhibition assay was used to verify the possible binding site between LCA and human hepatoma cells. The result showed that Mannose- and fucose- related sites were associated with LCA inhibiting human hepatoma cells migration. Moreover, LCA could affect HCCLM3 migration by activating ERK1/2 and JNK1/2/3 signalling pathways. LCA did not affect MMP-2 and MMP-9 of HCCLM3 through gelatinase zymography. However, the results of immunofluorescence standing showed that LCA could reduce the F-actin formation in HCCLM3 via ERK1/2 and JNK1/2/3 signalling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

LCA might inhibit human hepatoma cell migration by reducing the F-actin formation via the mannose and fucose-mediated ERK1/2 and JNK1/2/3 signalling pathway. This result will deepen people's understanding on plant lectin as a drug in tumor glycobiology.

35 years in plant lectin research: a journey from basic science to applications in agriculture and medicine

Plants contain an extended group of lectins differing from each other in their molecular structures, biochemical properties and carbohydrate-binding specificities. The heterogeneous group of plant lectins can be classified in several families based on the primary structure of the lectin domain. All proteins composed of one or more lectin domains, or having a domain architecture including one or more lectin domains in combination with other protein domains can be defined as lectins. Plant lectins reside in different cell compartments, and depending on their location will encounter a large variety carbohydrate structures, allowing them to be involved in multiple biological functions. Over the years lectins have been studied intensively for their carbohydrate-binding properties and biological activities, which also resulted in diverse applications. The present overview on plant lectins especially focuses on the structural and functional characteristics of plant lectins and their applications for crop improvement, glycobiology and biomedical research.

Review: The multiple roles of plant lectins

For decades, the biological roles of plant lectins remained obscure and subject to speculation. With the advent of technological and scientific progress, researchers have compiled a vast amount of information regarding the structure, biological activities and functionality of hundreds of plant lectins. Data mining of genomes and transcriptome sequencing and high-throughput analyses have resulted in new insights. This review aims to provide an overview of what is presently known about plant lectins, highlighting their versatility and the importance of plant lectins for a multitude of biological processes, such as plant development, immunity, stress signaling and regulation of gene expression. Though lectins primarily act as readers of the glycocode, the multiple roles of plant lectins suggest that their functionality goes beyond carbohydrate-recognition.

Identification and characterization of L-type lectin receptor-like kinases involved in Glycine max-Phytophthora sojae interaction

MAIN CONCLUSION

Soybean contains a group of 64 L-type lectin receptor-like kinases. Three LecRKs were involved in the interactions with Phytophthora sojae and Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens. L-type lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRKs) comprise an important class of membrane-localized receptor-like kinases that are involved in plant adaptation. In this study, we performed an inventory analysis of LecRKs in Glycine max (soybean). In total, 64 GmLecRKs containing the canonical LecRK feature were identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 48 GmLecRKs have close orthologs in Arabidopsis or Solanum lycopersicum, while 16 are likely present only in the leguminous plant species. Transcriptome analyses revealed that expressions of multiple GmLecRK genes are either induced or suppressed during infection by the soybean root rot pathogen Phytophthora sojae. In addition, overexpression of the three LecRKs (Glyma.17G085000, Glyma.05G041300 or Glyma.17G224600) in the soybean hairy roots enhanced resistance to P. sojae. Upon inoculation with Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens, overexpression of Glyma.17G085000 in the soybean hairy roots does not significantly influence the nodulation, while overexpression of Glyma.05G041300 or Glyma.17G224600 slightly reduced the number and dry weight of nodules. This study highlights the importance of LecRKs in regulating plant-microbe interactions and provides new knowledge on the deployment of LecRKs to increase resistance in soybean.

Plant lectins and their many roles: Carbohydrate-binding and beyond

Lectins are ubiquitous proteins that reversibly bind to specific carbohydrates and, thus, serve as readers of the sugar code. In photosynthetic organisms, lectin family proteins play important roles in capturing and releasing photosynthates via an endogenous lectin cycle. Often, lectin proteins consist of one or more lectin domains in combination with other types of domains. This structural diversity of lectins is the basis for their current classification, which is consistent with their diverse functions in cell signaling associated with growth and development, as well as in the plant's response to biotic, symbiotic, and abiotic stimuli. Furthermore, the lectin family shows evolutionary expansion that has distinct clade-specific signatures. Although the function(s) of many plant lectin family genes are unknown, studies in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana have provided insights into their diverse roles. Here, we have used a biocuration approach rooted in the critical review of scientific literature and information available in the public genomic databases to summarize the expression, localization, and known functions of lectins in Arabidopsis. A better understanding of the structure and function of lectins is expected to aid in improving agricultural productivity through the manipulation of candidate genes for breeding climate-resilient crops, or by regulating metabolic pathways by applications of plant growth regulators.

Identification and characterization of non-small cell lung cancer associated sialoglycoproteins

Aberrantly sialylated cellular glycoconjugates were found to be involved in different processes during tumorigenesis. Such alteration was also noted in case of lung cancer, an important cause of cancer-related death throughout the world. Thus, study on lung cancer associated sialoglycoproteins is of paramount relevance to have a deeper insight into the mechanism of the disease pathogenesis. In the present study, sialic acid specific lectin (Maackia amurensis agglutinin and Sambcus nigra agglutinin)-based affinity chromatography followed by 2D-PAGE and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometric analysis were done to explore the disease-associated serum proteins of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma [the major two subtypes of NSCLC (non-small cell lung carcinoma)] patients. Among seven identified proteins, α1-antitrypsin and haptoglobin-β were preferred for further studies. These two proteins were characterized as the disease associated serum-sialoglycoproteins of NSCLC-patients by western immunoblotting using each lectin specific inhibitor. The presence of these sialoglycoproteins was found on NSCLC cell lines (NCI-H520 & A549) by confocal microscopy. Both these proteins were also present in tissue samples of NSCLC origin and involved in proliferation, invasion and migration of NSCLC cells. Our findings suggest that α1-antitrypsin and haptoglobin-β may be the disease-associated sialoglycoproteins in NSCLC, which seem to be involved in disease progression. SIGNIFICANCE: Our contribution regarding the identification of the NSCLC associated sialoglycoproteins may provide a new vision towards the development of clinically useful newer strategies for the treatment of this disease.

Man-Specific Lectins from Plants, Fungi, Algae and Cyanobacteria, as Potential Blockers for SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Coronaviruses: Biomedical Perspectives

Betacoronaviruses, responsible for the “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome” (SARS) and the “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome” (MERS), use the spikes protruding from the virion envelope to attach and subsequently infect the host cells. The coronavirus spike (S) proteins contain receptor binding domains (RBD), allowing the specific recognition of either the dipeptidyl peptidase CD23 (MERS-CoV) or the angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE2 (SARS-Cov, SARS-CoV-2) host cell receptors. The heavily glycosylated S protein includes both complex and high-mannose type N-glycans that are well exposed at the surface of the spikes. A detailed analysis of the carbohydrate-binding specificity of mannose-binding lectins from plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria, revealed that, depending on their origin, they preferentially recognize either complex type N-glycans, or high-mannose type N-glycans. Since both complex and high-mannose glycans substantially decorate the S proteins, mannose-specific lectins are potentially useful glycan probes for targeting the SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 virions. Mannose-binding legume lectins, like pea lectin, and monocot mannose-binding lectins, like snowdrop lectin or the algal lectin griffithsin, which specifically recognize complex N-glycans and high-mannose glycans, respectively, are particularly adapted for targeting coronaviruses. The biomedical prospects of targeting coronaviruses with mannose-specific lectins are wide-ranging including detection, immobilization, prevention, and control of coronavirus infection.

Biochemical and Initial Structural Characterization of the Monocot Chimeric Jacalin OsJAC1

The monocot chimeric jacalin OsJAC1 from Oryza sativa consists of a dirigent and a jacalin-related lectin domain. The corresponding gene is expressed in response to different abiotic and biotic stimuli. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the basic function of the individual domains and their contribution to the physiological role of the entire protein. In this study, we have established a heterologous expression in Escherichia coli with high yields for the full-length protein OsJAC1 as well as its individual domains. Our findings showed that the secondary structure of both domains is dominated by β-strand elements. Under reducing conditions, the native protein displayed clearly visible transition points of thermal unfolding at 59 and 85 °C, which could be attributed to the lectin and the dirigent domain, respectively. Our study identified a single carbohydrate-binding site for each domain with different specificities towards mannose and glucose (jacalin domain), and galactose moieties (dirigent domain), respectively. The recognition of different carbohydrates might explain the ability of OsJAC1 to respond to different abiotic and biotic factors. This is the first report of specific carbohydrate-binding activity of a DIR domain, shedding new light on its function in the context of this monocot chimeric jacalin.

Identification of the Ricin-B-Lectin LdRBLk in the Colorado Potato Beetle and an Analysis of Its Expression in Response to Fungal Infections

Ricin-B-lectins (RBLs) have been identified in many groups of organisms, including coleopterans insects, particularly the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata (LdRBLs). We hypothesized that one of these LdRBLs (LdRBLk) may be involved in the immune response to fungal infections. We performed a theoretical analysis of the structure of this protein. Additionally, the expression levels of the LdRBlk gene were measured in L. decemlineata in response to infections with the fungi Metarhizium robertsii and Beauveria bassiana. The expression levels of LdRBlk in the L. decemlineata cuticle and fat body were increased in response to both infections. The induction of LdRBlk expression was dependent on the susceptibility of larvae to the fungi. Upregulation of the LdRBlk gene was also observed in response to other stresses, particularly thermal burns. Elevation of LdRBlk expression was frequently observed to be correlated with the expression of the antimicrobial peptide attacin but was not correlated with hsp90 regulation. Commercially available β-lectin of ricin from Ricinuscommunis was observed to inhibit the germination of conidia of the fungi. We suggest that LdRBLk is involved in antifungal immune responses in the Colorado potato beetle, either exerting fungicidal properties directly or acting as a modulator of the immune response.

Lectins purified from medicinal and edible mushrooms: Insights into their antiviral activity against pathogenic viruses

For thousands of years, fungi have been a valuable and promising source of therapeutic agents for treatment of various diseases. Mushroom is a macrofungus which has been cultivated worldwide for its nutritional value and medicinal applications. Several bioactive molecules were extracted from mushroom such as polysaccharides, lectins and terpenoids. Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins with non-immunologic origin. Lectins were classified according to their structure, origin and sugar specificity. This protein has different binding specificity with surface glycan moiety which determines its activity and therapeutic applications. A wide range of medicinal activities such as antitumor, antiviral, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and antidiabetic were reported from sugar-binding proteins. However, glycan-binding protein from mushroom is not well explored as antiviral agent. The discovery of novel antiviral agents is a public health emergency to overcome the current pandemic and be ready for the upcoming viral pandemics. The mechanism of action of lectin against viruses targets numerous steps in viral life cycle such as viral attachment, entry and replication. This review described the history, classification, purification techniques, structure-function relationship and different therapeutic applications of mushroom lectin. In addition, we focus on the antiviral activity, purification and physicochemical characteristics of some mushroom lectins.

In depth analysis on the carbohydrate-binding properties of a vasorelaxant lectin from Dioclea lasiophylla Mart Ex. Benth seeds

Lectins are a class of proteins or glycoproteins capable of recognizing and interacting with carbohydrates in a specific and reversible manner. Owing to this property, these proteins can interact with glycoconjugates present on the cell surface, making it possible to decipher the glycocode, as well as elicit biological effects, such as inflammation and vasorelaxation. Here, we report a structural and biological study of the mannose/glucose-specific lectin from Dioclea lasiophylla seeds, DlyL. The study aimed to evaluate in detail the interaction of DlyL with Xman and high-mannose N-glycans (MAN3, MAN5 and MAN9) by molecular dynamics (MD) and the resultant in vitro effect on vasorelaxation using rat aortic rings. In silico analysis of molecular docking was performed to obtain the initial coordinates of the DlyL complexes with the carbohydrates to apply as inputs in MD simulations. The MD trajectories demonstrated the stability of DlyL over time as well as different profiles of interaction with Xman and N-glycans. Furthermore, aortic rings assays demonstrated that the lectin could relax pre-contracted aortic rings with the participation of the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) and nitric oxide (NO) when endothelial tissue is preserved. These results confirm the ability of DlyL to interact with high-mannose N-glycans with its expanded CRD, supporting the hypothesis that DlyL vasorelaxant activity occurs primarily through its interaction with cell surface glycosylated receptors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Gene Expression Patterns for Proteins With Lectin Domains in Flax Stem Tissues Are Related to Deposition of Distinct Cell Wall Types

The genomes of higher plants encode a variety of proteins with lectin domains that are able to specifically recognize certain carbohydrates. Plants are enriched in a variety of potentially complementary glycans, many of which are located in the cell wall. We performed a genome-wide search for flax proteins with lectin domains and compared the expression of the encoding genes in different stem tissues that have distinct cell wall types with different sets of major polysaccharides. Over 400 genes encoding proteins with lectin domains that belong to different families were revealed in the flax genome; three quarters of these genes were expressed in stem tissues. Hierarchical clustering of the data for all expressed lectins grouped the analyzed samples according to their characteristic cell wall type. Most lectins differentially expressed in tissues with primary, secondary, and tertiary cell walls were predicted to localize at the plasma membrane or cell wall. These lectins were from different families and had various architectural types. Three out of four flax genes for proteins with jacalin-like domains were highly upregulated in bast fibers at the stage of tertiary cell wall deposition. The dynamic changes in transcript level of many genes for lectins from various families were detected in stem tissue over the course of gravitropic response induced by plant gravistimulation. The data obtained in this study indicate a large number of lectin-mediated events in plants and provide insight into the proteins that take part in tissue specialization and reaction to abiotic stress.

Man-Specific, GalNAc/T/Tn-Specific and Neu5Ac-Specific Seaweed Lectins as Glycan Probes for the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Coronavirus

Seaweed lectins, especially high-mannose-specific lectins from red algae, have been identified as potential antiviral agents that are capable of blocking the replication of various enveloped viruses like influenza virus, herpes virus, and HIV-1 in vitro. Their antiviral activity depends on the recognition of glycoprotein receptors on the surface of sensitive host cells-in particular, hemagglutinin for influenza virus or gp120 for HIV-1, which in turn triggers fusion events, allowing the entry of the viral genome into the cells and its subsequent replication. The diversity of glycans present on the S-glycoproteins forming the spikes covering the SARS-CoV-2 envelope, essentially complex type N-glycans and high-mannose type N-glycans, suggests that high-mannose-specific seaweed lectins are particularly well adapted as glycan probes for coronaviruses. This review presents a detailed study of the carbohydrate-binding specificity of high-mannose-specific seaweed lectins, demonstrating their potential to be used as specific glycan probes for coronaviruses, as well as the biomedical interest for both the detection and immobilization of SARS-CoV-2 to avoid shedding of the virus into the environment. The use of these seaweed lectins as replication blockers for SARS-CoV-2 is also discussed.

130 years of Plant Lectin Research

Lectins are proteins with diverse molecular structures that share the ability to recognize and bind specifically and reversibly to carbohydrate structures without changing the carbohydrate moiety. The history of lectins started with the discovery of ricin about 130 years ago but since then our understanding of lectins has dramatically changed. Over the years the research focus was shifted from 'the characterization of carbohydrate-binding proteins' to 'understanding the biological function of lectins'. Nowadays plant lectins attract a lot of attention especially because of their potential for crop improvement and biomedical research, as well as their application as tools in glycobiology. The present review aims to give an overview of plant lectins and their applications, and how the field evolved in the last decades.

Lectins from the Edible Mushroom Agaricus bisporus and Their Therapeutic Potentials

The mushroom Agaricus bisporus secretes biologically active compounds and proteins with benefits for human health. Most reported proteins from A. bisporus are tyrosinases and lectins. Lectins are of therapeutic or pharmaceutical interest. To date, only limited information is available on A. bisporus lectins and lectin-like proteins. No therapeutic products derived from A. bisporus lectin (ABL) are available on the market despite its extensive exploration. Recently, A. bisporus mannose-binding protein (Abmb) was discovered. Its discovery enriches the information and increases the interest in proteins with therapeutic potential from this mushroom. Furthermore, the A. bisporus genome reveals the possible occurrence of other lectins in this mushroom that may also have therapeutic potential. Most of these putative lectins belong to the same lectin groups as ABL and Abmb. Their relationship is discussed. Particular attention is addressed to ABL and Abmb, which have been explored for their potential in medicinal or pharmaceutical applications. ABL and Abmb have anti-proliferative activities toward cancer cells and a stimulatory effect on the immune system. Possible scenarios for their use in therapy and modification are also presented.

Novel Phytochemical Constituents and Anticancer Activities of the Genus, Typhonium

BACKGROUND

Typhonium is the largest genus in the Araceae family (~70 species), distributed in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia. Typhonium is well-known for its ethnopharmacological uses, and Southeast Asians consider it as an alternative medicine to treat cancer. This review elucidated the confirmed chemical structures of the isolated compounds of Typhonium and emphasized on their anticancer activities against various human cancer cells.

METHODS

Among several species, Typhonium blumei, T. flagelliforme, T. divaricatum and T. giganteum were extensively studied due to the presence of a class of secondary metabolites. All the available reports on Typhonium were included and discussed in this article.

RESULTS

Until now several groups of compounds, namely amino acids (1, 2), cinnamic acid (3), fatty acids (4-14), glycerol derivatives (15-18) and cerebrosides (19-34), flavonoids (35), hydantoins (36-38), lignin monomers (39-44), nucleobases (45-48), pheophorbides (49-52), phthalate (53), terpene and steroids (54-59) and vitamins (60, 61) were isolated and characterized from Typhonium. These phytochemicals were investigated for their anticancer properties, and results confirmed the promising growth inhibitory effect and anticancer activities against human lung, breast, prostate and colon cancer cells. The anticancer activity of these compounds appears to be mediated through the induction of apoptotic cell death. These phytochemicals further reported to exhibit other pharmacological efficacies, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-allergic, neuroprotective and hepato-protective properties.

CONCLUSION

This is the first review to summarize the anticancer properties of all isolated compounds of Typhonium genus with confirmed chemical structures. Further advanced studies are necessary to establish the detailed signaling pathways that are involved in the anticancer property of the compounds.

Relationship of Agaricus bisporus mannose-binding protein to lectins with β-trefoil fold

Agaricus bisporus mannose-binding protein (Abmb) was discovered as part of the mushroom tyrosinase (PPO3) complex, but its function in the mushroom has remained obscure. The protein has a β-trefoil structure that is common for Ricin-B-like lectins. Indeed, its closest structural homologs are the hemagglutinin components of botulinum toxin (HA-33) and the Ricin-B-like lectin from Clitocybe nebularis (CNL), both of which bind galactose, and actinohivin, a recently discovered mannose-binding lectin from actinomycetes. Here we show that Abmb is evolutionarily related to them, which are lectins with a β-trefoil fold. We also show for the first time that Abmb can exhibit typical lectin agglutination activity but only when in the complex with mushroom tyrosinase. This is unexpected and unique because the two proteins are not evolutionarily related and have different activities. Lectin and tyrosinase major role in defense mechanism as well as Abmb and PPO3 gene regulation during the early stages of the development of mushroom fruiting bodies suggested that Abmb has likely a function in defense against bacterial infection and/or insect-induced damage.

Purification of GNA-Related Lectins from Natural Sources

The Galanthus nivalis lectin, abbreviated as GNA, is the model protein for a large group of mannose-binding lectins. Here, we describe the purification of GNA starting from dry bulbs. Using a combination of ion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography on mannose-Sepharose, a highly pure preparation of GNA can be obtained.

Mannose-Specific Lectins from Marine Algae: Diverse Structural Scaffolds Associated to Common Virucidal and Anti-Cancer Properties

To date, a number of mannose-specific lectins have been isolated and characterized from seaweeds, especially from red algae. In fact, man-specific seaweed lectins consist of different structural scaffolds harboring a single or a few carbohydrate-binding sites which specifically recognize mannose-containing glycans. Depending on the structural scaffold, man-specific seaweed lectins belong to five distinct structurally-related lectin families, namely (1) the griffithsin lectin family (β-prism I scaffold); (2) the Oscillatoria agardhii agglutinin homolog (OAAH) lectin family (β-barrel scaffold); (3) the legume lectin-like lectin family (β-sandwich scaffold); (4) the Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA)-like lectin family (β-prism II scaffold); and, (5) the MFP2-like lectin family (MFP2-like scaffold). Another algal lectin from Ulva pertusa, has been inferred to the methanol dehydrogenase related lectin family, because it displays a rather different GlcNAc-specificity. In spite of these structural discrepancies, all members from the five lectin families share a common ability to specifically recognize man-containing glycans and, especially, high-mannose type glycans. Because of their mannose-binding specificity, these lectins have been used as valuable tools for deciphering and characterizing the complex mannose-containing glycans from the glycocalyx covering both normal and transformed cells, and as diagnostic tools and therapeutic drugs that specifically recognize the altered high-mannose N-glycans occurring at the surface of various cancer cells. In addition to these anti-cancer properties, man-specific seaweed lectins have been widely used as potent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)-inactivating proteins, due to their capacity to specifically interact with the envelope glycoprotein gp120 and prevent the virion infectivity of HIV-1 towards the host CD4+ T-lymphocyte cells in vitro.