Ca 2+-dependent carbohydrate-recognition domains in animal proteins

Abstract

Many Ca2+-dependent (C-type) animal lectins contain a common sequence motif, with 14 invariant and 18 highly conserved residues distributed over discrete carbohydrate-recognition domains of 115–130 amino acids. Domains that display the C-type carbohydrate-recognition domain motif are found in an increasing number of proteins, although only some are known to bind carbohydrate. Progress is being made towards making deductions about the structure and activity of these domains from their sequences.