Mannose-binding protein

From Proteopedia

Revision as of 07:54, 1 December 2014 by Michal Harel (Talk | contribs)

(diff) ←Older revision | Current revision (diff) | Newer revision→ (diff)

Template:STRUCTURE 1kzb Mannose-binding protein (MBL) is a lectin essential to innate immunity. MBL recognizes carbohydrate patterns like mannose or glucose located on the surface of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses and fungi. MBL binds to the microorganism and the activation of the lectin pathway ensues. MBL binds to apoptotic and senescent cells and enhances their engulfment by phagocytes. In the blood, MBL is bound to MBL-associated serine protease (MASP-2). Upon binding of MBL to a target mannose, the MASP initiates the complement cascade resulting in lysis of the pathogen.