LectinAssays

LectinAssays are laboratory techniques that utilize lectins—carbohydrate-binding proteins—to detect and analyze glycosylation patterns on glycoproteins, cell surfaces, or other glycoconjugates. Lectins exhibit selective affinities for certain monosaccharides and linkages, such as galactose, mannose, fucose, sialic acid, and N-acetylglucosamine, though binding can be influenced by linkage and context.

Common formats include ELISA-based lectin assays, where a capture molecule binds the target and a labeled lectin detects remaining glycan epitopes, or a lectin blot (similar to Western blot) where proteins are separated by electrophoresis and probed with labeled lectins. Lectin affinity chromatography uses immobilized lectins to enrich glycoproteins or glycans. Hemagglutination assays use lectin-induced clumping of red blood cells as readout. High-throughput platforms such as lectin microarrays and glycan arrays profile many glycan interactions simultaneously.

Key considerations include lectin selection based on the target glycan motif, ligand density, calcium or other ions required for binding, pH, and ionic strength. Non-specific binding and cross-reactivity can complicate interpretation; results are typically semi-quantitative and require appropriate standards and controls.

Applications span glycomics, development of glycoprotein therapeutics, cancer and autoimmune disease research, and quality control in biopharmaceutical manufacturing by monitoring glycosylation patterns.