Peanut agglutinin

Peanut agglutinin (PNA) is a protein, or lectin, derived from peanuts that binds specifically to certain sugar structures on cell surfaces. It is often used in biological research and medical diagnostics to detect or study specific cell types, especially in cancer research. PNA’s ability to recognize particular carbohydrate patterns helps scientists identify abnormal cells or analyze cell interactions. Despite its peanut origin, it’s generally safe and serves as a valuable tool in understanding cellular processes and disease mechanisms.