2eig

Publication Abstract from PubMed

Lotus tetragonolobus lectin (LTA) is a fucose-specific legume lectin. Although several studies report a diverse combination of biological activities for LTA, little is known about the mechanisms involved in l-fucosyl oligosaccharide recognition. The crystal structure of LTA at 2.0A resolution reveals a different legume lectin tetramer. Its structure consists of a homotetramer composed of two back-to-back GS4-like dimers arranged in a new mode, resulting in a novel tetramer. The LTA N-linked carbohydrate at Asn4 and the unusual LTA dimer-dimer interaction are related to its particular mode of tetramerization. In addition, we used small angle X-ray scattering to investigate the quaternary structure of LTA in solution and to compare it to the crystalline structure. Although the crystal structure of LTA has revealed a conserved metal-binding site, its l-fucose-binding site presents some punctual differences. Our investigation of the new tetramer of LTA and its fucose-binding site is essential for further studies related to cross-linking between LTA and complex divalent l-fucosyl carbohydrates.

Identification of a new quaternary association for legume lectins.,Moreno FB, de Oliveira TM, Martil DE, Vicoti MM, Bezerra GA, Abrego JR, Cavada BS, Filgueira de Azevedo W Jr J Struct Biol. 2008 Feb;161(2):133-43. Epub 2007 Oct 15. PMID:18068379^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.