Entropically Assisted Carbohydrate Recognition by a Natural Killer Cell‐Surface Receptor

Abstract

Brake-assisted drive. Saccharide recognition by lectins involves several critical hydrogen-bonding interactions. This manifests as favorable enthalpic contributions that are strongly opposed by entropic factors. In contrast, sialooligosaccharide recognition by Sigle-7 utilizes favorable hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions. The binding free-energy change is assisted by favorable contributions from enthalpic and entropic components (see figure), and entropic factors no longer appear to serve as “brakes”.