C-type lectins are a superfamily of diverse proteins with one or more carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRDs) of~130 amino acid residues.They recognize and bind to terminal sugars on glycoproteins and glycolipids, and function in non-self recognition and clearance of invaders.Recent EST analysis in scallops revealed a high content and variety of lectin gene homologues.By RACE approach, 5 C-type lectins (Cflec-l~Cflec-5) were cloned from zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri and 9 from bay scallop Argopecten irradians (Ailec-1~Ailec-9).