Description
The sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (SIGLECs), such as SIGLEC5, are a subgroup of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily that mediate protein-carbohydrate interactions. They specifically interact with sialic acids in glycoproteins and glycolipids, with each SIGLEC having a particular preference for both the nature of the sialic acid and its glycosidic linkage to adjacent sugars. SIGLECs have similar structures, including extracellular Ig-like domains composed of an N-terminal V-set domain followed by varying numbers of C2-set domains. It appears that all SIGLECs have an unusual arrangement of conserved cysteine residues in the V-set and adjacent C2-set domains. Most SIGLECs are expressed uniquely within the hematopoietic system.
