Purified by affinity chromatography, Galanthus nivalis lectin (GNL/GNA) is composed of four identical subunits. GNL is a mannose-binding lectin, though [interestingly] it will not bind ?-linked glucose. This lectin was one of the original molecules used to understand how proteins recognize carbohydrates. Galanthus nivalis is found to bind to many viral glycoproteins, making it a useful tool in HIV research studies.