====The binding of soluble lectins to pathogens====
====The binding of soluble lectins to pathogens====
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*#* E.g. collectins.
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*#* Lectins are proteins that bind carbohydrates, in this case carbohydrates that have a terminal mannose residue – they are called mannose-binding lectins and are secreted by the liver into plasma. This action of lectin binding to carbohydrate activates plasma-associated proteases called mannose-binding lectin associated proteases (MASPs), these act on C4 and C2 in the same way as C1 esterase.
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* E.g. collectins.
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* Lectins are proteins that bind carbohydrates.
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** In this case, they bind carbohydrates that have a terminal mannose residue.
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*** They are called mannose-binding lectins.
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*** Are secreted by the liver into plasma.
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* The action of lectin binding to carbohydrate activates plasma-associated proteases called mannose-binding lectin associated proteases (MASPs).
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** These act on C4 and C2 in the same way as C1 esterase.