Biomaterial Database

Plant lectins: the ties that bind in root symbiosis and plant defense. 2009

Peter L De Hoff, and Laurence M Brill, and Ann M Hirsch

Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.

Lectins are a diverse group of carbohydrate-binding proteins that are found within and associated with organisms from all kingdoms of life. Several different classes of plant lectins serve a diverse array of functions. The most prominent of these include participation in plant defense against predators and pathogens and involvement in symbiotic interactions between host plants and symbiotic microbes, including mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. Extensive biological, biochemical, and molecular studies have shed light on the functions of plant lectins, and a plethora of uncharacterized lectin genes are being revealed at the genomic scale, suggesting unexplored and novel diversity in plant lectin structure and function. Integration of the results from these different types of research is beginning to yield a more detailed understanding of the function of lectins in symbiosis, defense, and plant biology in general.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D008958	Models, Molecular	Models used experimentally or theoretically to study molecular shape, electronic properties, or interactions; includes analogous molecules, computer-generated graphics, and mechanical structures.	Molecular Models,Model, Molecular,Molecular Model
D010944	Plants	Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of kingdom Plantae. Plants acquired chloroplasts by direct endosymbiosis of CYANOBACTERIA. They are characterized by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited growth at localized regions of cell divisions (MERISTEMS); cellulose within cells providing rigidity; the absence of organs of locomotion; absence of nervous and sensory systems; and an alternation of haploid and diploid generations. It is a non-taxonomical term most often referring to LAND PLANTS. In broad sense it includes RHODOPHYTA and GLAUCOPHYTA along with VIRIDIPLANTAE.	Plant
D013559	Symbiosis	The relationship between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other or a relationship between different species where both of the organisms in question benefit from the presence of the other.	Endosymbiosis,Commensalism,Mutualism
D017343	Genes, Plant	The functional hereditary units of PLANTS.	Plant Genes,Gene, Plant,Plant Gene
D017434	Protein Structure, Tertiary	The level of protein structure in which combinations of secondary protein structures (ALPHA HELICES; BETA SHEETS; loop regions, and AMINO ACID MOTIFS) pack together to form folded shapes. Disulfide bridges between cysteines in two different parts of the polypeptide chain along with other interactions between the chains play a role in the formation and stabilization of tertiary structure.	Tertiary Protein Structure,Protein Structures, Tertiary,Tertiary Protein Structures
D055170	Plant Root Nodulation	The formation of a nitrogen-fixing cell mass on PLANT ROOTS following symbiotic infection by nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as RHIZOBIUM or FRANKIA.	Nodulation, Plant Root,Root Nodulation, Plant
D018521	Plant Physiological Phenomena	The physiological processes, properties, and states characteristic of plants.	Plant Physiological Processes,Plant Physiology,Physiology, Plant,Plant Physiologic Phenomena,Plant Physiologic Phenomenon,Plant Physiological Phenomenon,Plant Physiological Process,Phenomena, Plant Physiologic,Phenomena, Plant Physiological,Phenomenon, Plant Physiologic,Phenomenon, Plant Physiological,Phenomenons, Plant Physiological,Physiologic Phenomena, Plant,Physiologic Phenomenon, Plant,Physiological Phenomena, Plant,Physiological Phenomenon, Plant,Physiological Phenomenons, Plant,Physiological Process, Plant,Physiological Processes, Plant,Plant Physiological Phenomenons,Process, Plant Physiological,Processes, Plant Physiological
D037121	Plant Lectins	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.	Lectins, Plant,Phytagglutinin,Plant Agglutinin,Plant Lectin,Agglutinins, Plant,Phytagglutinins,Plant Agglutinins,Agglutinin, Plant,Lectin, Plant
D038821	Mycorrhizae	Symbiotic combination (dual organism) of the MYCELIUM of FUNGI with the roots of plants (PLANT ROOTS). The roots of almost all higher plants exhibit this mutually beneficial relationship, whereby the fungus supplies water and mineral salts to the plant, and the plant supplies CARBOHYDRATES to the fungus. There are two major types of mycorrhizae: ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae.	Arbuscular Mycorrhizae,Ectomycorrhizae,Endomycorrhizae,Mycorrhizae, Arbuscular,Mycorrhizae, Vesicular-Arbuscular,Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizae,Mycorrhiza,Mycorrhizae, Vesicular Arbuscular,Mycorrhizas,Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae