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. May bind DNA.
A human mannose-binding protein is an acute-phase reactant that shares sequence homology with other vertebrate lectins.Ezekowitz R.A.B., Day L.E., Herman G.A.J. Exp. Med. 167:1034-1046(1988)
Research Topic:Immunology