Description
Lectin that plays a role in innate immunity, apoptosis and embryogenesis. Calcium-dependent lectin that binds self and non-self glycoproteins presenting high mannose oligosaccharides with at least one terminal alpha-1,2-linked mannose epitope. Primarily recognizes the terminal disaccharide of the glycan. Also recognizes a subset of fucosylated glycans and lipopolysaccharides. Plays a role in innate immunity through its ability to bind non-self sugars presented by microorganisms and to activate the complement through the recruitment of MAPS1. Also plays a role in apoptosis through its ability to bind in a calcium-independent manner the DNA present at the surface of apoptotic cells and to activate the complement in response to this binding. Finally, plays a role in development, probably serving as a guidance cue during the migration of neural crest cells and other cell types during embryogenesis