maackia amurensis seed lectin

Maackia amurensis seed lectin (MASL) is a plant-derived protein (lectin) isolated from the seeds of Maackia amurensis. It has a strong affinity for sialic acid-modified proteins and exhibits pleiotropic biological activities. Mechanistically, MASL binds to sialylated glycoproteins on cell surfaces, including the ACE2 receptor and podoplanin (PDPN). In preclinical studies, MASL has been shown to decrease ACE2 expression and glycosylation, suppress binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, inhibit viral infection in vitro, and reduce inflammatory mediator expression in oral epithelial cells. These properties suggest potential utility as an antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 as well as an antineoplastic agent targeting oral squamous cell carcinoma by interfering with PDPN-mediated pathways[6][1][3]. Clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate its efficacy in patients with oral cancer.

Other names

Maackia amurensis seed lectinMASL