Genotypic-Phenotypic Screening of Galectin-3 in Relation to Risk Towards Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Context: Galectin-3, a 35 kDa protein, is the only known member of chimera type galectin family. A growing body of evidences demonstrated the pro-inflammatory role of galectin-3 in the pathogenesis of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objectives: Keeping in view the pivotal role of galectin-3 in pathogenesis of RA, the present case-control study was designed for genotypic and phenotypic screening of galectin-3 in RA.

Exploration of carbohydrate binding behavior and anti-proliferative activities of Arisaema tortuosum lectin.

Background: Lectins have come a long way from being identified as proteins that agglutinate cells to promising therapeutic agents in modern medicine. Through their specific binding property, they have proven to be anti-cancer, anti-insect, anti-viral agents without affecting the non-target cells. The Arisaema tortuosum lectin (ATL) is a known anti-insect and anti-cancer candidate, also has interesting physical properties.

Lead: Tiny but Mighty Poison.

The documentation of lead toxicity (plumbism) dates back to the times when man learnt its various applications. This versatile heavy metal is non-degradable and its ability to get accumulated in the body that goes undiagnosed, makes it a serious environmental health hazard. Lead is now known to affect almost every organ/tissue of the human body.

Sauromatum guttatum lectin: Spectral studies, lectin-carbohydrate interaction, molecular cloning and in silico analysis.

Non-immune carbohydrate binding proteins are broadly defined as lectins. Having been reported from all kingdoms of life, phytolectins are the most widely studied group of lectins. Sauromatum guttatum agglutinin (SGA) was isolated from the plant tubers and characterized for structural variations due to solvent perturbation using polarimetry, fluorescence and light scattering.

Assessment of Sauromatum guttatum lectin toxicity against Bactrocera cucurbitae.

Lectins are proteins that bind specifically to foreign glycans. Due to this binding property, these molecules have potential application as bioinsecticidal tools replacing conventional chemical insecticides. The present study involved purification of phytolectin from the tubers of Sauromatum guttatum by affinity chromatography on asialofetuin-linked silica matrix.

Structural variations and molten globule state in Arisaema helliborifolium lectin under various treatments as monitored by spectroscopy.

Solvent perturbation was used to study variations in structure of Arisaema helliborifolium lectin (AHL) with the help of circular dichroism (CD), intrinsic fluorescence (IF), extrinsic fluorescence, quenching and dynamic light scattering (DLS). AHL was studied under acidic, alkaline and 6 M guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) equilibrium states. Three structural states were identified for AHL at different conditions, that are native (N; pH 7.

Purification of Colocasia esculenta lectin and determination of its anti-insect potential towards Bactrocera cucurbitae.

The present study reports the purification of a lectin from Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott corms and evaluation of its anti-insect potential towards Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquilett). The lectin was found to be specific towards N-acetyl-D-lactosamine (LacNac), a disaccharide and asialofetuin, a desialylated serum glycoprotein in hemagglutination inhibition assay.