Abstract
An overview on the diversity of 39 lectins from the phylum Porifera is presented, including 38 lectins, which were identified from the class of demosponges, and one lectin from the class of hexactinellida. Their purification from crude extracts was mainly performed by using affinity chromatography and gel filtration techniques. Other protocols were also developed in order to collect and study sponge lectins, including screening of sponge genomes and expression in heterologous bacterial systems. The characterization of the lectins was performed by Edman degradation or mass spectrometry. Regarding their physiological roles, sponge lectins showed to be involved in morphogenesis and cell interaction, biomineralization and spiculogenesis, as well as host defense mechanisms and potentially in the association between the sponge and its microorganisms. In addition, these lectins exhibited a broad range of bioactivities, including modulation of inflammatory response, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, as well as anticancer and neuromodulatory activity. In view of their potential pharmacological applications, sponge lectins constitute promising molecules of biotechnological interest.
Highlights
Lectins are widespread in nature and have been reported from prokaryotes, as well as from eukaryotes.They are defined as proteins or glycoproteins that recognize carbohydrates
The C. apion lectin (CaL) was purified from specimens collected along a Brazilian coast using an affinity chromatography with IgG anti-C. varians lectin and its haemagglutination was tested towards human erythrocytes [60]
We report on methods used to investigate sponge lectins and to classify them according to their biochemical characteristics
Summary
Lectins are widespread in nature and have been reported from prokaryotes, as well as from eukaryotes. The mussel Crenomytilus grayanus lectin, which is potentially involved in recognition and clearance of bacterial pathogens in the shellfish, showed to interact with Gram-positive and Gram negative bacteria. The studies on sponge lectins really started in the 1980s with their capacities to agglutinate erythrocytes Since these works, a wide range of bioactivities has been demonstated, including mitogenic, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and neuromodulatory activities. A wide range of bioactivities has been demonstated, including mitogenic, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and neuromodulatory activities Their biological roles have been described in the involvement of defense mechanisms in order to protect sponges from their predators [33], in the recognition and removal of aged or altered glycoconjugates [34] or in the aggregation of sponge cells [35]. We provide a full coverage of the 39 lectins isolated from sponges, ranging from their purification, biochemical properties to their physiological roles and biotechnological potential
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