Plant Lectins
Synonyms
Agglutinins, Plant
Hemagglutinins, Plant
Lectins, Plant
Phytagglutinins
Plant Agglutinins
Plant Hemagglutinins
Protein or glycoprotein substances of plant origin that bind to sugar moieties in cell walls or membranes. Some carbohydrate-metabolizing proteins (ENZYMES) from PLANTS also bind to carbohydrates, however they are not considered lectins. Many plant lectins change the physiology of the membrane of BLOOD CELLS to cause agglutination, mitosis, or other biochemical changes. They may play a role in plant defense mechanisms.