Term: lectins
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.L03495

Definition:
Glycoproteins isolated from plants but recently found also in animals and microorganisms that react specifically with terminal glycosidic residues of other molecules (e.g. cell wall polysaccharides); some causing cells to agglutinate (cf. agglutination).

Related Terms:
1) glycoproteins (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02656).
2) agglutination (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00183).
3) polysaccharides (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04752).

Source: PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 158 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)

Citation: 'lectins' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.L03495

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