glycan-binding proteins

Glycan-binding proteins are specialized molecules that recognize and attach to specific sugar structures, called glycans, on the surfaces of cells or in the body. These proteins play crucial roles in many biological processes, including immune response, cell communication, and pathogen recognition. By binding to glycans, they help cells identify each other, trigger defense mechanisms, or facilitate molecular interactions essential for health and disease management. Understanding these proteins is important for developing therapies for infections, cancer, and other conditions involving complex sugar patterns on cells.