Recombinant human MBL protein

MBL2, also known as mannose-binding protein C, belongs to the class of collectins in the C-type lectin superfamily. It is a lectin that is instrumental in innate immunity via the lectin pathway. It recognizes carbohydrate patterns, found on the surface of a large number of pathogenic micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi. It It binds senescent and apoptotic cells and enhances engulfment of whole, intact apoptotic cells, as well as cell debris by phagocytes. This protein has recently been found to play a role in development of type 1 diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus. Also, mutant MBL2 haplotypes have been linked to disease progression and response to therapy in HCV infection. Recombinant human MBL2, fused to His-tag at C-terminus, was expressed in insect cell and purified by using conventional chromatography techniques.