Collectin of 46 kDa (CL-46) is a collectin protein. It has two cysteine residues on the N-terminal segment, a hydrophilic loop near the carbohydrate recognition domain's binding site, and a N-glycosylation site in the collagen region. It is expressed in bovine liver and thymus glands and binds to pathogens, prompting elimination by macrophages.Collectins are soluble pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) belonging to the superfamily of collagen containing C-type lectins.Eight collectins have been identified including mannan-binding lectin (MBL), surfactant protein A (SP-A), surfactant protein D (SP-D), collectin liver 1 (CL-L1), collectin placenta 1 (CL-P1), conglutinin, collectin of 43 kDa (CL-43) and collectin of 46 kDa (CL-46).These molecules have been implicated as major modulators of the innate immune system where they have a key role in the first line of defense against invading microorganisms by binding to them so macrophages know to dispose of them.
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