Description
Concanavalin A is a lectin found in Canavelia that exhibits immunostimulatory, pro-fibrotic, and anticancer chemotherapeutic activities. Concanavalin A is a plant mitogen that activates T cells; it binds α-D-mannosyl and α-D-glucosyl residues on sugars, glycoproteins, and glycolipids. Concanavalin A is used in research to study cell adhesion. In vivo, concanavalin A induces fibrosis. In animal models of hepatoma, concanavalin A induces autophagy and cell death and decreases tumor nodule formation.