Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins. They are omnipresent and usually found in fungi, plants and animals. The secondary structure of this protein is rich in β-strands and possesses carbohydrate binding sites on the surface.
Application:
For the fluorescent detection of glycoproteins containing β(1→4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine
Lectin from Triticum vulgaris (wheat) has been used:
to treat transfected cells for immunofluorescence
to stereotaxically inject into mice for neuronal tracing
in immunohistochemistry for the analysis of myocytes