Recombinant Dioclea wilsonii Lectin alpha chain
Description
Pro-Inflammatory Effects
rDWLα induces nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, and IL-1β production in macrophages, promoting acute inflammation. This activity is linked to its ability to bind glycosylated receptors on immune cells .
Vasorelaxant Properties
Like other ConA-like lectins, rDWLα exhibits vasorelaxation in rat aortic rings, mediated by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation .
Antiproliferative Activity
rDWLα triggers apoptosis in cancer cells via mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and caspase-9 activation. For example, it reduced viability of glioma cells (C6, U87) by 40–50% at 25 μg/mL .
Mechanism of Carbohydrate Binding
rDWLα recognizes terminal α-mannose residues on glycoproteins through a conserved CRD (carbohydrate recognition domain) . Key interactions include:
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Coordination of a calcium ion by Asp16 and Asn112.
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Hydrophobic stacking with Tyr12.
Table 2: Key Applications of rDWLα
Biomedical Potential
rDWLα’s dual role in inflammation modulation and tumor suppression highlights its potential in:
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Cancer Immunotherapy: Synergizing with checkpoint inhibitors to enhance immune responses .
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Autoimmune Disease Models: Studying lectin-induced β-cell destruction in type 1 diabetes .
