Proteomic approaches to study structure, functions and toxicity of legume seeds lectins. Perspectives for the assessment of food quality and safety.

摘要: Abstract Lectins are a structurally diverse class of (glyco)proteins which bind mono- and oligosaccharides with high specificity in reversible way. For many years, the unique sugar binding properties plant lectins have been exploited for development biochemical tools glycoprotein isolation characterisation, use as glycoprofiling tool has became much more sophisticated advent lectin microarrays, panel immobilized on single chip glycomic analysis. Among numerous studied so far, those from legumes represent largest family. They can be present at relatively amounts depending genetic well environmental factors, accumulated especially seeds. this reason, some phytohemagglutinin common bean Phaseolus vulgaris constitute possible risk, since consumption raw or incorrectly processed beans shown to cause outbreaks gastroenteritis, nausea diarrhoea. On other hand, these anti-nutritional properties, extracts enriched lectin-related amylase inhibitors also finding growing active ingredients “weight-blockers” dietetic preparations obesity treatment. Current methods determine levels foods based immunoenzymatic toxicity tests, largely aspecific. Very recently, availability proteomic methodologies allowed start validation sensitive specific assays detecting trace harmful either foods. In review, main aspects current perspective applications mass spectrometry technologies structural characterisation presented, focus issues related detection, identification, quantification phytohemagglutinins relevant their biochemical, immunological toxicological aspects.