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Crystal structure of a lectin from Canavalia maritima (ConM) in complex with trehalose and maltose reveals relevant mutation in ConA-like lectins.

Delatorre P, Rocha BA, Gadelha CA, Santi-Gadelha T, Cajazeiras JB, Souza EP, Nascimento KS, Freire VN, Sampaio AH, Azevedo WF, Cavada BS

Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular--Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil.

The crystal structure of Canavalia maritima lectin (ConM) complexed with trehalose and maltose revealed relevant point mutations in ConA-like lectins. ConM with the disaccharides and other ConA-like lectins complexed with carbohydrates demonstrated significant differences in the position of H-bonds. The main difference in the ConM structure is the replacement of Pro202 by Ser202, a residue that promotes the approximation of Tyr12 to the carbohydrate-binding site. The O-6' of the second glucose ring in maltose interacts with Tyr12, while in trehalose the interaction is established by the O-2' and Tyr12, explaining the higher affinity of ConM for disaccharides compared to monosaccharides.

Published 26 May 2006 in J Struct Biol, 154(3): 280-6.
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