InterPro domain: IPR009960

This family consists of several fungal fruit body lectin proteins. Fruit body lectins are thought to have insecticidal activity [ 1 ] and may also function in capturing nematodes [ 2 ]. One member of this family, the lectin XCL from Xerocomus chrysenteron, induces drastic changes in the actin cytoskeleton after sugar binding at the cell surface and internalization, and has potent insecticidal activity. The fold of lectin xcl is not related to any of several lectin folds, but but shows significant structural similarity to cytolysins [ 3 ].

1. Xerocomus chrysenteron lectin: identification of a new pesticidal protein. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1621, 292-8
2. Two genes encoding fruit body lectins of Pleurotus cornucopiae: sequence similarity with the lectin of a nematode-trapping fungus. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 66, 2083-9
3. A new lectin family with structure similarity to actinoporins revealed by the crystal structure of Xerocomus chrysenteron lectin XCL. J. Mol. Biol. 344, 1409-20