Glycan-binding proteins (GBPs) represent a structurally and functionally diverse group of molecules that have evolved in various biological systems to recognize specific carbohydrate structures with high affinity and selectivity. These proteins include lectins from plants and animals, bacterial adhesins, toxin subunits (e.g., cholera and shiga toxins), as well as viral glycoproteins (e.g., influenza hemagglutinin and coronavirus hemagglutinin-esterases). More recently, monoclonal antibodies and engineered binding scaffolds with glycan specificity have also emerged as powerful tools in the glycosciences.
These proteins play central roles in mediating intercellular communication, pathogen recognition, immune modulation, and cell adhesion. When harnessed as research tools, their natural glycan-binding specificities enable precise detection and analysis of glycan expression patterns in health and disease.
Glycan-binding proteins have become essential reagents for glycobiology. Their uses span both exploratory and translational research, including:
rCalsepa is a recombinant plant lectin derived from Calystegia sepium, expressed in E. coli and tagged for detection. It specifically binds the conserved N-glycan core trisaccharide (Manβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-4GlcNAc), enabling broad recognition of high-mannose, complex, and hybrid-type N-glycans in biological samples.
rhSiglec-8 is the recombinant extracellular domain (ECD) of human Siglec-8, expressed in HEK293 cells. It selectively binds sulfated sialylated glycans, particularly Neu5Ac(α2–3)Gal(6S)β1–4GlcNAc, making it a valuable tool for profiling sulfated glycan motifs in cells, tissues, and biological samples.
Sialoglycan Recognizing Probes (SGRPs) are a panel of engineered or naturally derived proteins that specifically recognize sialoglycans based on both sialic acid types (e.g., Neu5Ac, Neu5Gc) and linkage patterns (α2–3, α2–6, α2–8). these reagents enable detection and visualization of sialoglycan structures in biological samples.
For researchers seeking bespoke solutions, we offer custom development services for glycan-binding proteins – from initial design to expression, purification, and validation.
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