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Distinct and overlapping functions of allelic forms of human mannose binding protein

Nature Genetics volume 2, pages 50–55 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

Human mannose binding protein (MBP) is a C–type serum lectin involved in first–line host defense against a variety of bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens. Recently an association was found between low levels of serum MBP and an increased frequency of recurrent infections in infants. A particular genotype, in which glycine is substituted by aspartic acid at codon 54 of MBP in the fifth collagen repeat, shows apparent concordance with the clinical phenotype. We report, however, that this genotype occurs in 5% of the population and encodes a functional protein. Our results indicate that the Gly54Asp allele does not account for a deficiency state, but instead suggest that MBP may have two predominant allelic forms that have overlapping function and differ only in their ability to activate the classical pathway of complement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Harvard Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital and Dana Faber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA

    M. Super, K. Sastry, V. J. Silverman & R. A. B. Ezekowitz

  2. Abbott Biotech Inc. Needham Mass, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conneticut, 06510, USA

    S. D. Gillies & S. Foley

  3. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conneticut, 06510, USA

    J.-E. Schweinle

  4. Divison of Hematology/Oncology, Boston University of School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, USA

    K. Sastry

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  1. M. Super
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  5. J.-E. Schweinle
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  6. V. J. Silverman
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  7. R. A. B. Ezekowitz
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Super, M., Gillies, S., Foley, S. et al. Distinct and overlapping functions of allelic forms of human mannose binding protein. Nat Genet 2, 50–55 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng0992-50

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