C-Type Lectins and Collectins

C-Type Lectins. Currently, the largest subfamily of lectins is the Ca -dependent (C-type) lectins. The Ca + is not directly involved with the CRD binding, but is important for the maintenance of a structure that permits receptor/ligand interactions. The C-type lectins are further subdivided as those family members that are membrane proteins (selec-tins, type II receptors, and transmembrane lectins with tandem CRDs) and that are soluble proteins (lecticansand collectins). Perhaps... 

Collectins are a family of C-type lectins that mediate host defense against pathogenic micro-organisms. Each collectin polypeptide is characterized by an N-terminal collagen-like region and a C-terminal C-type CRD [1]. Six members of the collectin family have been identified in vertebrates. Serum MBP, collectin-43 (CL-43) and conglutinin are plasma proteins, liver MBP is found exclusively in the liver and pulmonary surfactant proteins-A and -D (SP-A, SP-D) are associated with the surfactant that lines alveoli in the lung. 

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