Galanthus lectin

Lectins The mannose-specific plant lectins from Galanthus, Hippeastrum, Narcissus, Epipactis helleborine, and Listera ovata, and the V-acctylglucosaminc-spccilic lectin from Urtica dioica would primarily be targeted at the virus-cell fusion process. 

A number of mannose-specific agglutinines (lectins) from Galanthus nivalis, Hippeastrum hybrid, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, Listera ovata, Cymbidium hybrid, Epipactis helleborine, and the N-acetylglucosamine-specific lectin from Urtica dioica have been found to inhibit HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection at similar concentrations as dextran sulfate (IC50 0.2 to 0.6 fig/ml), or even lower (IC50 0.04 to 0.08 pg/ml. Akin to sulfated polysaccharides, the plant lectins also exhibit activity against various enveloped viruses other than HIV, i.e., HSV-1, HSV-2, CMV, RSV, and influenza virus. Plant lectins would primarily interfere with the virus-cell fusion process. Their precise mode of action remains to be resolved. 

Ewen, S. W. B., and A. Pusztai. 1999. Effect of diets containing genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus nivalis lectin on rat small intestine. The Lancet 354 1353-1354. 

Van Damme, E.J.M., Allen, A.K., and Peumans, W.J., Isolation and characterization of a lectin with exclusive specificity towards mannose from snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) bulbs, FEBS Lett., 215, 140-144, 1987. 

Fig. 13 Glycoprofiling of placental and glycoengineered hCG based on the binding of specific lectins. Lectins specific for a2,3/6-bound sialic acids (black bars SNA, Sambucus nigra agglutinin), a2,6-bound sialic acids (grey bars PSL, Polyporus squamosus lectin) and mannose-rich oligosaccharides (white bars GNL Galanthus nivalis lectin).

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