Animal Galectins and Plant Lectins as Tools for Studies in Neurosciences

• Published in: Current neuropharmacology 2020-01, Vol.18 (3), p.202-215
• Main Authors: Araújo, João Ronielly Campêlo, Coelho, Cauê Barbosa, Campos, Adriana Rolim, de Azevedo Moreira, Renato, de Oliveira Monteiro-Moreira, Ana Cristina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Neuropharmacology
• ISSN: 1570-159X; 1875-6190
• DOI: 10.2174/1570159X17666191016092221

Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins of non-immunological origin capable of reversibly and specifically binding to glycoconjugates. They exist in free form or associated with cells and are widely distributed in nature, being found in plants, microorganisms, and animals. Due to their characteristics and mainly due to the possibility of reversible binding to glycoconjugates, lectins have stood out as important tools in research involving Neurobiology. These proteins have the ability to modulate molecular targets in the central nervous system (CNS) which may be involved with neuroplasticity, neurobehavioral effects, and neuroprotection. The present report integrates existing information on the activity of animal and plant lectins in different areas of Neuroscience, presenting perspectives to direct new research on lectin function in the CNS, providing alternatives for understanding neurological diseases such as mental disorders, neurodegenerative, and neuro-oncological diseases, and for the development of new drugs, diagnoses and therapies in the field of Neuroscience.