Chemicals and Drugs

Lectins

Proteins that share the common characteristic of binding to carbohydrates. Some ANTIBODIES and carbohydrate-metabolizing proteins (ENZYMES) also bind to carbohydrates, however they are not considered lectins. PLANT LECTINS are carbohydrate-binding proteins that have been primarily identified by their hemagglutinating activity (HEMAGGLUTININS). However, a variety of lectins occur in animal species where they serve diverse array of functions through specific carbohydrate recognition.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Proteins that share the common characteristic of binding to carbohydrates. Some ANTIBODIES and carbohydrate-metabolizing proteins (ENZYMES) also bind to carbohydrates, however they are not considered lectins. PLANT LECTINS are carbohydrate-binding proteins that have been primarily identified by their hemagglutinating activity (HEMAGGLUTININS). However, a variety of lectins occur in animal species where they serve diverse array of functions through specific carbohydrate recognition.

MeSH Record

Classification

Related Concepts

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Synonyms

7 entry terms
  • Lectin
  • Animal Lectin
  • Animal Lectins
  • Isolectin
  • Isolectins
  • Lectin, Animal
  • Lectins, Animal

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

30 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

2003; for ISOLECTIN use LECTINS (NM) 1979-2002

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Lectins (1966-2002)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Lectins. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D037102. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D037102
  2. Lectins. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lectin
  3. Lectins. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q408693