MBL2

What is mbl2 protein?

MBL2 protein, also known as Mannose-binding lectin 2, is a protein that belongs to the collectin family and plays a crucial role in innate immunity. It is a pattern recognition molecule that binds to specific carbohydrate structures present on the surface of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. MBL2 protein initiates the complement pathway and activates the immune response by binding to these microorganisms, leading to their opsonization and subsequent phagocytosis by immune cells. It also possesses anti-viral properties by directly neutralizing viruses and inhibiting their replication. Deficiency or dysfunction of MBL2 protein has been associated with an increased susceptibility to infections and certain autoimmune diseases.

What is the function of mbl2 protein?

Pattern recognition: MBL2 recognizes specific carbohydrate patterns on the surface of microbes like bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. This is known as pattern recognition.

Activation of the lectin pathway of complement: By binding to carbohydrates on microbes, MBL2 can activate the lectin pathway of the complement system. This is a part of the innate immune response.

Opsonization: MBL2 helps opsonize or coat microbes by facilitating the deposition of C3b and C4b complement proteins on their surface. This promotes phagocytosis.

Removal of pathogens: The activation of complement system and opsonization by MBL2 helps remove and clear pathogenic microbes from the body without requiring antibodies.

Innate immunity: As a pattern recognition molecule, MBL2 is an important part of the body's first line of defense called innate immunity against invading pathogens.

MBL2 related signaling pathway

The lectin pathway of complement activation: MBL2 can activate the classical and lectin pathways of the complement system through recognizing and binding to polysaccharides on microorganisms. This is part of the innate immunity.

NF-κB signaling pathway: MBL2 can promote the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway by facilitating the activation of C3aR and C5aR receptors, which is involved in inflammatory responses.

MAPK signaling pathway: MBL2 binding can also activate kinases in the MAPKs family such as JNK and p38, thereby affecting the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators regulated by NF-κB.

PI3K/Akt pathway: Some studies have shown that MBL2 may upregulate the PI3K/Akt pathway to promote the phagocytic function of macrophages.

FGF/FGFR pathway: MBL2 participates in the biosynthesis and activity regulation of fibronectin, thereby affecting cell proliferation and migration processes related to the FGF/FGFR pathway.

Notch pathway: MBL2 may play a role in biological processes such as cell differentiation and tissue remodeling through the Notch pathway.

MBL2 Related Diseases

Infectious diseases: Low levels of MBL2 have been linked to increased risk of infections, especially in young children, from pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae.

Sepsis: MBL2 deficiency is a risk factor for developing severe sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by dysregulated inflammation during systemic infection.

Lung disease: Polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene have been associated with increased susceptibility to respiratory infections and outcomes like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Autoimmune diseases: A possible role of MBL2 has been suggested in autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and diabetes mellitus type 1.

Biomedical Application of MBL2 Protein

Vaccine development: MBL2 induces opsonization and complement activation, enhancing the efficacy of vaccines against pathogens like influenza. Researchers are exploring MBL2 as a vaccine adjuvant.

Antibiotic development: MBL2 acts as an antibiotic by activating complement against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Understanding its mechanism could aid new antibiotic design.

Diagnostics: Detection of MBL2 deficiency through genetic testing helps identify individuals at high risk for specific infections. It may guide prophylactic treatment.

Cancer immunotherapy: Overexpression of MBL2 in tumor cells can elicit a stronger anticancer immune response by complement activation and opsonization.

MBL2 has several biochemical functions, for example, calcium ion binding,calcium-dependent protein binding,mannose binding. Some of the functions are cooperated with other proteins, some of the functions could acted by MBL2 itself. We selected most functions MBL2 had, and list some proteins which have the same functions with MBL2. You can find most of the proteins on our site.

MBL2 has direct interactions with proteins and molecules. Those interactions were detected by several methods such as yeast two hybrid, co-IP, pull-down and so on. We selected proteins and molecules interacted with MBL2 here. Most of them are supplied by our site. Hope this information will be useful for your research of MBL2.

LRP1;TLR3;YBX1