Structures of alpha-galactosyl carbohydrates as complexes with lectins have revealed many of the attributes of protein-carbohydrate interactions such as the groove-type and end-on insertion mechanisms of binding. Creative Biolabs provides customized anti-glycan antibody services against different carbohydrate antigens by advanced technology platform to help your projects. Our professional scientists have extensive experience in antibody production, and bio-conjugation and are committed to providing high-quality services for our global clients.
The predominant xenoantigens recognized by human natural antibodies contain terminal alpha-galactosyl (Galα1-3Gal) epitopes that are part of longer carbohydrate chains, which are attached to a wide range of proteins and lipids. The majority of alpha-galactosyl epitopes are generated by α1,3GT through the transfer of galactose from a UDP-Gal substrate, forming an α(1,3)-glycosidic linkage to a glycolipid or glycoprotein acceptor terminating in N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), Galβ(1,4)GlcNAc.
Fig.1 Schematic depiction of Galα1-3Gal carbohydrate xenoantigens. (Yuriev, 2009)
Humans and closely related mammals such as apes possess natural anti-alpha galactosyl (Galα1-3Gal) antibodies. The anti-alpha galactosyl antibodies are found in humans, apes, Old World monkeys but not in New World monkeys and other mammals. This is consistent with the fact that humans, apes, and Old World monkeys lack a functional alpha galactosyltransferase and therefore do not possess the Galα1-3Gal structure on their tissues.
It is suggested that these natural antibodies are developed in response to normal bacterial flora in the intestine and play an important role in innate immunity. The human anti-alpha galactosyl antibodies have a high titer, accounting for as much as 1% of total serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and they are responsible for inactivation of retrovirus and other enveloped viruses of animal origin by human serum and rejection of pig-to-human xenografts. They may also be involved in preventing parasite and microbial infections.
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