Selectins are known to form what type of bonds?

Selectins are a type of cell adhesion molecule that play a crucial role in the immune response and inflammation by mediating the attachment of leukocytes (white blood cells) to the endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels). The correct understanding of selectins highlights their ability to bind heterophilically, which means they form bonds with different types of molecules—specifically between selectins and carbohydrates like sialylated glycoproteins or glycolipids. This heterophilic interaction is essential for facilitating the rolling of leukocytes along the endothelium, which is a key step in the recruitment of immune cells to sites of infection or injury.

The other types of bonds mentioned do not accurately reflect the function and molecular interactions of selectins. Homophilic bonds would suggest that selectins interact with similar proteins, while disulfide bonds pertain to different structural aspects of protein folding. Peptide bonds are involved in the linking of amino acids, which is not applicable for the type of function selectins perform in cell adhesion and signaling.