Calcium-dependent lectin involved in innate immune defense. Binds mannose, fucose and N-acetylglucosamine on different microorganisms and activates the lectin complent pathway. Binds to late apoptotic cells, as well as to apoptotic blebs and to necrotic cells, but not to early apoptotic cells, facilitating their uptake by macrophages .
Cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding bovine mannan-binding protein.Kawai T., Suzuki Y., Eda S., Ohtani K., Kase T., Fujinaga Y., Sakamoto T., Kurimura T., Wakamiya N.Gene 186:161-165(1997)
Research Topic:Others