biomolecules Review Human Lectins, Their Carbohydrate Affinities and Where to Review HumanFind Them Lectins, Their Carbohydrate Affinities and Where to FindCláudia ThemD. Raposo 1,*, André B. Canelas 2 and M. Teresa Barros 1 1, 2 1 Cláudia D. Raposo * , Andr1 é LAQVB. Canelas‐Requimte,and Department M. Teresa of Chemistry, Barros NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829‐516 Caparica, Portugal;
[email protected] 12 GlanbiaLAQV-Requimte,‐AgriChemWhey, Department Lisheen of Chemistry, Mine, Killoran, NOVA Moyne, School E41 of ScienceR622 Co. and Tipperary, Technology, Ireland; canelas‐
[email protected] NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal;
[email protected] 2* Correspondence:Glanbia-AgriChemWhey,
[email protected]; Lisheen Mine, Tel.: Killoran, +351‐212948550 Moyne, E41 R622 Tipperary, Ireland;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +351-212948550 Abstract: Lectins are a class of proteins responsible for several biological roles such as cell‐cell in‐ Abstract:teractions,Lectins signaling are pathways, a class of and proteins several responsible innate immune for several responses biological against roles pathogens. such as Since cell-cell lec‐ interactions,tins are able signalingto bind to pathways, carbohydrates, and several they can innate be a immuneviable target responses for targeted against drug pathogens. delivery Since sys‐ lectinstems. In are fact, able several to bind lectins to carbohydrates, were approved they by canFood be and a viable Drug targetAdministration for targeted for drugthat purpose. delivery systems.Information In fact, about several specific lectins carbohydrate were approved recognition by Food by andlectin Drug receptors Administration was gathered for that herein, purpose. plus Informationthe specific organs about specific where those carbohydrate lectins can recognition be found by within lectin the receptors human was body.