Lectins

Carbohydrate-binding proteins (lectins) have roles to play in many important processes such as self/non-self recognition, endocytosis, routing and chaperoning of molecules within the cell, and trafficking of cells within the body. C-type lectins, including CL-P1, the monocyte mannose receptor (MMR), mannose binding lectin (MBL), ficolins, and others are active in pathogen recognition. Dendritic cell C-type lectins, such as DC-SIGN, DC-SIGNR, DCAR, DCIR, Dectins, and DLEC, are important in dendritic cell trafficking and formation of the immunological synapse. The selectins are also well known for mediating cell trafficking. R&D Systems offers a range of research tools for the study of these lectin subgroups, as well as sialic acid-binding Ig-type lectins (siglecs) and galactose-binding lectins (galectins).