Lectin-carbohydrate interactions: different folds, common recognition principles

Lectins can be found in many organisms and are involved in a multitude of cellular processes that depend on specific recognition of complex carbohydrates. The stereochemical principles underlying the recognition process have been the subject of extensive biochemical and structural studies. When examined from the viewpoint of the bound sugar, the structural information accumulated so far on lectins and other proteins that are specific to galactose and glucose (or mannose), provides suggestive evidence for distinct ligand-dependent distribution of hydrogen-bond partners in the combining site.