Peanut lectin (PNA) is a lectin or an agglutinin from the legume, Arachis hypogaea, found in peripheral venous blood in humans after ingestion of peanuts. PNA lectin is specific to the galactosyl (β-1,3) N-acetylgalactosamine.
Lectin is known to be useful in glycoconjugate characterizing, imaging and targeting. Its use in a microarray assay, enable efficient glycome profiling. This is because of its specific interaction with oligosaccharides, glycoproteins and glycolipids. In plants and fungi, lectin defends against pathogens/feeders. Lectin participates in host recognition and tissue adhesion, thereby aids in the pathogenesis of microorganism.
