Porifera Lectins: Diversity, Physiological Roles and Biotechnological Potential.
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.
['Gardères|Johan|J|', 'Bourguet-Kondracki|Marie-Lise|ML|', 'Hamer|Bojan|B|', 'Batel|Renato|R|', 'Schröder|Heinz C|HC|', 'Müller|Werner E G|WE|']
D000818:Animals D000890:Anti-Infective Agents D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents D001685:Biological Factors D001709:Biotechnology D003603:Cytotoxins D006801:Humans D037102:Lectins D011161:Porifera
porifera lectin physiological roles bioactivities