Description
Book SynopsisPlant lectins are extensively used as tools and as bioactiveproteins in different areas of biomedical and biological research.The Handbook of Plant Lectins provides a comprehensive yet conciseoverview of the biochemical properties, carbohydrate-bindingspecificity, biological activities and applications of most of thecurrently known plant lectins. This handbook consists of two majorsections: an introductory guide and a quick reference dictionary.Part I acquaints the newcomer to the lectin field with theessential information on lectins and their importance tobiomedicine:
* what are lectins?
* their carbohydrate-binding specificity
* effects on nutrition and immunology
* use in histochemistry
* application as therapeutic agents
Part II lists approximately 200 lectin entries in alphabeticalorder. Each entry deals with the lectin(s) of a particular plantand provides, (where known), details of:
* isolation and characterisation;
* sugar binding specificity;
Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION TO LECTINS.
Plant Lectins: A Special Class of Plant Proteins.
Plant Lectins in Mammalian Nutrition, Immunology, Metabolism and asOral Therapeutic and Immune Agents.
Lectin Histochemistry in Histology and Histopathology.
LECTIN CLASSIFICATION.
Key to the Use of the Lectin Entries.
Classification Codes.
Lectin Entries.
Appendices.
Index.
