Identification of the site of human mannan-binding lectin involved in the interaction with its partner serine proteases: the essential role of Lys55.

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is an oligomeric lectin that binds neutral carbohydrates on pathogens, forms complexes with MBL-associated serine proteases (MASP)-1, -2, and -3 and 19-kDa MBL-associated protein (MAp19), and triggers the complement lectin pathway through activation of MASP-2. To identify the MASP binding site(s) of human MBL, point mutants targeting residues C-terminal to the hinge region were produced and tested for their interaction with the MASPs and MAp19 using surface plasmon resonance and functional assays. Mutation Lys(55)Ala abolished interaction with the MASPs and MAp19 and prevented formation of functional MBL-MASP-2 complexes.

Phase I safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic study of recombinant human mannan-binding lectin.

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL), a human plasma protein, plays an important role in the innate immune defence. MBL recognizes microorganisms through surface carbohydrate structures. Due to genetic polymorphisms, MBL plasma concentrations range from 5 to 10,000 ng/mL.

Physiological characterisation of recombinant Aspergillus nidulans strains with different creA genotypes expressing A. oryzae alpha-amylase.

The physiology of three strains of Aspergillus nidulans was examined--a creA deletion strain, a wild type creA genotype and a strain containing extra copies of the creA gene, all producing Aspergillus oryzae alpha-amylase. The strains were cultured in batch and continuous cultivations and the biomass formation and alpha-amylase production was characterised. Overexpression of the creA gene resulted in a lower maximum specific growth rate and a slightly higher repression of the alpha-amylase production during conditions with high glucose concentration.