Glycan binding profile of a fucolectin-related protein (FRP) encoded by the SP2159 gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae

The recombinant fucolectin-related protein (FRP) of unknown function, encoded by the SP2159 gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae, was expressed in E. coli. In this study, its glycan-recognition epitopes and their binding potencies were examined by enzyme-linked lectinosorbent and inhibition assays. The results indicate that FRP reacted strongly with human blood group ABH and l-Fucα1→2-active glycotopes and in their polyvalent (super) forms. When expressed by mass relative potency, the binding affinities of FRP to poly-l-Fucα1→glycotopes were about 5.0 × 10⁵ folds higher than that of the mono-l-Fucα1→glycotope form. This unique binding property of FRP can be used as a special tool to differentiate complex forms of l-Fucα1→2 and other forms of glycotopes.