lectin

lec·tin  (lktn)

n.

Any of several plant proteins that bind to specific carbohydrate groups on proteins or on cell membranes and are used in the laboratory to isolate glycoproteins, to stimulate proliferation of lymphocytes, and to agglutinate red blood cells.

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[Latin lctus, past participle of legere, to select; see select + -in.]

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lectin [ˈlɛktɪn]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) a type of protein possessing high affinity for a specific sugar; lectins are often highly toxic

[from Latin lectus, past participle of legere to select + -in]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

lectin - any of several plant glycoproteins that act like specific antibodies but are not antibodies in that they are not evoked by an antigenic stimulus glycoprotein - a conjugated protein having a carbohydrate component