The adsorption of bacteria to immobilized lectins

R.A. PATCHETT, A.F. KELLY AND R.G. KROLL. 1991. The agglutination of a selection of bacteria by some lectins was examined. The lectin from Codium fragile agglutinated seven strains of Salmonella typhimurium. The lectin from Helix pomatia agglutinated eight of 12 strains of Listeria monocytogenes and a further two strains gave a weak agglutination reaction. Helix pomatia lectin conjugated to magnetic microspheres enabled the adsorption of L. monocytogenes from suspension with subsequent elution by the competing ligand N -acetyl galactosamine. Affinity chromatography of a suspension of L. monocytogenes through a column of H. pomatia lectin immobilized on agarose, also adsorbed cells and enabled subsequent elution with N -acetyl galactosamine. The column technique enabled the more rapid adsorption of bacteria perhaps because of improved interactions between bacteria and immobilized lectin.     

The use of immobilized lectins in the separation of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria and Salmonella spp. from pure cultures and foods.

Lectins from Helix pomatia, Canavalia ensiformis, Agaricus bisporus and Triticum vulgaris agglutinated cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria and Salmonella spp. This agglutination was specific as it was inhibited (except with A. bisporus lectin) by the competing sugar substrates. The ability of three of these lectins, immobilized on a variety of supports, to separate these micro-organisms from pure cultures was investigated. Immobilization of the lectins on magnetic microspheres was the most effective method. Immobilized T. vulgaris lectin bound 87-100% of cells from cultures of L. monocytogenes, 80-100% of Staph. aureus, 33-45% of Salmonella spp. and 42-77% of E. coli. The A. bisporus lectin bound 31-63% of cells in cultures of L. monocytogenes, 83% of Staph. aureus but only 3-5% of the salmonella cells. Similarly H. pomatia lectin bound greater than 92% of Staph. aureus and 64% of L. monocytogenes cells but was poor at binding the Gram-negative organisms. This preference for binding Gram-positive organisms was confirmed when mixed cultures were studied. The T. vulgaris lectin was effective in removing L. monocytogenes (43%) and Staph. aureus (26%) from diluted milk and Salmonella (31-54%) from raw egg. Agaricus bisporus lectin removed L. monocytogenes from undiluted milk (10-47%) or ground beef (32-50%).     

The use of immobilized lectins in the separation of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria and Salmonella spp. from pure cultures and foods

Lectins from Helix pomatia, Canavalia ensiformis, Agaricus bisporus and Triticum vulgaris agglutinated cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria and Salmonella spp. This agglutination was specific as it was inhibited (except with A. bisporus lectin) by the competing sugar substrates. The ability of three of these lectins, immobilized on a variety of supports, to separate these micro-organisms from pure cultures was investigated. Immobilization of the lectins on magnetic microspheres was the most effective method. Immobilized T. vulgaris lectin bound 87–100% of cells from cultures of L. monocytogenes , 80–100% of Staph. aureus , 33–45% of Salmonella spp. and 42–77% of E. coli. The A. bisporus lectin bound 31–63% of cells in cultures of L. monocytogenes , 83% of Staph. aureus but only 3–5% of the salmonella cells. Similarly H. pomatia lectin bound >92% of Staph. aureus and 64% of L. monocytogenes cells but was poor at binding the Gram-negative organisms. This preference for binding Gram-positive organisms was confirmed when mixed cultures were studied. The T. vulgaris lectin was effective in removing L. monocytogenes (43%) and Staph. aureus (26%) from diluted milk and Salmonella (31–54%) from raw egg. Agaricus bisporus lectin removed L. monocytogenes from undiluted milk (10–47%) or ground beef (32–50%).     

Agglutination of Bordetella species by lectins

Phase I cells of Bordetella pertussis but not those of B. parapertussis, B. bronchiseptica or B. avium were agglutinated by Limulus polyphemus lectin. Most strains of B. pertussis but not those of the other species were also agglutinated by Helix pomatia lectin. In precipitation reactions between lectins and purified Bordetella lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preparations a similar pattern occurred. Lectin agglutination provides a rapid presumptive method for the differentiation of B. pertussis from B. parapertussis and other Bordetella species.     

The effect of lectins on Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst in vitro attachment to host cells

The influence of lectins on Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst agglutination and on attachment to both fixed Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells and fixed HCT-8 (human colorectal epithelial) cells was examined. Oocyst cell wall characteristics were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Lectin-free oocysts were shown to adhere equally to both MDCK cells and HCT-8 cells. In MDCK cells, the addition of 1-25 microg/ml Codium fragile lectin, 10 microg/ml Maclura pomifera lectin, 10 microg/ml Helix pomatia lectin, and 10-200 microg/ml Artocarpus integrifolia lectin significantly increased attachment to at least 1 of the cell cultures as compared to oocysts incubated without any lectin. The lectin-enhanced attachment was reversed by co-incubation of lectin treated-oocysts with 250 mM of each specific sugar (for a given lectin). In agglutination assays, concentrations as low as 0.5 microg/ml of C. fragile, M. pomifera, and A. integrifolia lectin agglutinated oocysts within 60 min. Finally, in TEM samples, colloidal gold conjugated-lectins from A. integrifolia, C. fragile, H. pomatia, and M. pomifera attached to oocysts, and this could be competitively inhibited by a lectin-specific sugar. This suggests that C. parvum oocysts are highly reactive to N-acetyl galactosamine-binding lectins and that the presence of N-acetyl-galactosamine containing molecules on oocysts can potentially help in oocyst attachment to host cells.     

Purification and Characterization of a Novel Anti-Proliferative Lectin from Morus alba L. Leaves

A novel anti-proliferative lectin was purified from Morus alba L. (Mulberry) leaves by a two step chromatographic procedure namely, immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) and convective interaction media (CIM) based anion exchange chromatography. The purified mulberry leaf lectin (MLL) was specific to galactose, galactosamine and N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc). MLL was homogenous with a molecular weight of ~56kDa in silver stained SDS-PAGE. The lectin showed RBC agglutination activity up to 40°C and was independent of pH above pH 6. Haemagglutination activity of purified MLL was not dependent on any metal ions. However, with high concentration of trivalent metal ions, Fe3+ and Al3+ and the divalent metal ion Fe2+, a three fold increase in agglutination activity was observed. The purified MLL showed an anti-proliferative activity towards human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and colon cancer cells (HCT-15) with a higher potency towards MCF-7 cells. This is the first report on the anti-proliferative activity of a GalNAc specific lectin from M. alba.     

Quantitative variability of sugar residues at the surface of Fusarium oxysporum conidia as detected by lectin typing

G. RECORBET, C. STEINBERG AND C. ALABOUVETTE. 1996. Helix pomatia lectin, Concanavalin A, Wheat germ agglutinin and Tetragonolobus purpureas lectin were used to identify N -acetylgalactosamine, D-mannose, N -acetylglucosamine and L-fucose sugar residues, respectively, on the surface of microconidia of Fusarium oxysporum strains. On the basis of the use of FITC-labelled lectins, N -acetylglucosamine, N -acetylgalactosamine and D-mannose sugar residues were identified and did not vary qualitatively between the strains tested. L-fucose residues were not detected, whatever the strain tested. Agglutination experiments showed a quantitative variability in the carbohydrate residues detected with ConA and WGA within the F. oxysporum species. The agglutination responses of the isolates tested did not reflect either their pathogenicity or their host specificity.     

青山羊（Capra，hircus）小肠凝集素的分离、纯化及性质研究

报道了青山羊小肠凝集素的分离、纯化及性质研究。青山羊小肠先经过含有巯基乙醇的磷酸缓冲液抽提,然后上Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ６Ｂ柱及ＤＥＡＥ－Ｃｅｌｌｕｌｏｓｅ－２３柱,得到纯化的青山羊小肠凝集素。采用ＳＤＳ电泳法测得其分子量在６６１００左右,而且该凝集素不含糖,对人Ｂ型血球有专一性凝集作用。半抗原抑制实验表明它对半乳糖（乳糖）有亲和性。其中酸性氨基酸含量较高,组氨酸、蛋氨酸含量较低。该凝集素在胚胎期出现,出生后几个月达到高峰然后逐渐下降,最后消失。     

DETECTION OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES BY ADSORPTION AND ELUTION FROM HYDROPHOBIC MATRICES

The binding of L. monocytogenes Scott A strain to three hydrophobic matrices, octyl, phenyl and butyl Sepharose, was investigated. Optimal adsorption of L. monocytogenes to octyl Sepharose was obtained at pH 3.5 and 4 M NaCl. However, it was difficult to elute the bacteria from octyl Sepharose, even after changing the pH and lowering the salt concentration. Good adsorption of L. monocytogenes to phenyl Sepharose at pH 3.5 and 4 M NaCl was also observed. L. monocytogenes was found to adsorb weakly to butyl Sepharose, which is less hydrophobic than phenyl Sepharose. Bacteria were eluted under various conditions. The best elution was obtained with 10 mM sodium phosphate, followed by an increasing gradient of ethylene glycol. To test the potential application of hydrophobic chromatography for separating L. monocytogenes from food matrices, milk was inoculated with L. monocytogenes and then passed through a column of phenyl Sepharose at pH 3.5 and 4 M NaCl. Nearly all L. monocytogenes were bound to the hydrophobic gel and were eluted in a pure and viable form by changing the pH and lowering the salt concentration, and by using a polar reducing agent, ethylene glycol. This study shows that hydrophobic interaction chromatography can be used to separate L. monocytogenes from milk and may be applicable to other food suspensions. It is a gentle method that makes use of the hydrophobic surface properties of Listeria for attachment to hydrophobic gels, as well as using mild elution conditions to avoid inactivation of the organism.     

Purification of Forssman and human blood group A glycolipids by affinity chromatography on immobilized Helix pomatia lectin

A method for the affinity purification of intact glycolipids having nonreducing terminal alpha 1-3 linked N-acetylgalatosamine residues has been developed. This technique relies on the retention of the carbohydrate-binding specificity of immobilized Helix pomatia lectin in aqueous solutions of tetrahydrofuran. Both Forssman glycolipid and a mouse blood group A-active hexaosylceramide were bound by columns of the lectin equilibrated in a solvent containing 95% tetrahydrofuran and 5% water. After application of a step gradient of increasing water content up to 50%, the specifically bound glycolipids were eluted in solvent containing N-acetylgalactosamine. The Forssman and A-active glycolipids were similarly purified in a single chromatographic step from total lipid extracts of sheep and human type A erythrocyte stroma, respectively. Nonspecifically bound lipids and glycolipids were eluted from this column by simply increasing the water content of the eluting buffer. The extension of this method to other carbohydrate-binding proteins including lectins and monoclonal antibodies may provide a rapid purification of glycolipids based on their carbohydrate structures.     

梨形环棱螺凝集素的初步研究

通过Sepharose 4B-甲状腺球蛋白亲和层析,从梨形环棱螺Bellamya purificata体内分离到的一种凝集素,不连续PAGE显示其为单一的蛋白质谱带.它能凝集兔、猪、鸭等动物的红细胞,但不能凝集人的A、B、O及AB型血的红细胞和固定后的兔红细胞.其凝集活力可被1.0mol/L的乳糖、半乳糖和60g/L的甲状腺球蛋白抑制,但不能被碱性硼酸缓冲液抑制.对温度变化敏感,有较宽的最适pH范围.     

Detection of blood group A-like substance in bacterial and viral vaccines by countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis using Helix pomatia lectin

The technique of countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis (CI), using the N-acetyl glucosamine-binding lectin from Helix pomatia, provided a rapid, sensitive, inexpensive, specific and reliable method for assaying blood group A-like substances in both bacterial and viral vaccines. Blood group A-like substance was detected in the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine manufactured by Merck Sharp & Dohme up to 1981 and in a staphylococcus vaccine ( Staphage Lysate) manufactured by Delmont Laboratories. Other US licensed vaccines, including diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, pertussis, meningococcal polysaccharide and influenza vaccines, did not contain detectable amounts of this substance. Human anti-A globulins did not provide a satisfactory reagent for the CI assay because they contained precipitating activities to the vaccine components.     

Enhanced purification of Mullerian inhibiting substance by lectin affinity chromatography

Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS), a secreted testicular product responsible for regression of the Mullerian ducts in the male mammalian embryo, was purified 7000 fold, exploiting the glycoprotein nature of this important fetal regressor to achieve enhanced purification. The present procedure employs media incubation of newborn calf testis, passage through DEAE Bio-Gel A and CM Bio-Gel A and sequential lectin affinity chromatography on wheat germ lectin (WGL)-Sepharose 6MB and concanavalin A (Con A)-Sepharose 4B. Strongly bioactive MIS was released from both lectin columns in the bound glycoprotein fraction only after elution with lectin-specific sugar. Carbohydrate analysis of the highly purified glycoprotein fraction eluted from Con A indicated the presence of both N-acetyl glucosamine and mannose, as would be expected from its sequential lectin affinity, as well as of galactose, galactosamine and N-acetyl neuraminic acid. Electrophoresis of this fraction on polyacrylamide-SDS gels showed an identical band pattern after staining with either Coomassie blue or periodic acid-Schiff reagent, further indicating that MIS is a glycoprotein.     

Leishmania braziliensis: cell surface differences in promastigotes of pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains

A comparative study of cell surface characteristics of pathogenic and nonpathogenic promastigotes of Leishmania braziliensis, NR and LBY strains, respectively, was carried out by means of concanavalin A agglutination and labeling with concanavalin A-fluorescein isothiocyanate, concanavalin A-ferritin, and cationized ferritin. Cytochemical examination showed cell surface differences in lectin receptors and negative charge moieties in the two strains of L. braziliensis. The pathogenic NR strain agglutinated with low concentrations of concanavalin A and presented abundant lectin-binding and cationized ferritin-binding surface labeling. The nonpathogenic LBY strain neither agglutinated when incubated with concanavalin A, bound lectins, or cationized ferritin at the cell surface.     

野花生豆凝集素的纯化和性质

用猪胃粘蛋白-Sepharose 4B作亲和吸附剂,可从野花生豆(Crotalarta mucronata)的种子中分离纯化出对人类A型血专一凝集的凝集素。该凝集素可用pH30.,Gly-HCl-1mol/L NaCl溶液解吸附。纯化的凝集素在PAGE或SDS-PAGE中均显示单一蛋白带,表明凝集素分子内只有一种亚基。用SDS-PAGE测得其亚基分子量为49,000。氨基酸组成分析表明,该凝集素富含甘氨酸和谷氨酸,不合甲硫氮酸。纯化的野花生豆凝集素(简称CML)含有4.11％的中性糖。它对人A型血细胞有强烈凝集作用,对AB型血有弱凝集作用,但对B型和O型血均不凝集。其对A型血细胞的凝集作用可被N-乙酰半乳糖胺抑制,但对AB型血则无抑制作用。CML是一个促有絲分裂原,对人外周血中淋巴细胞有促有絲分裂作用。     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A LECTIN,BRYOHEALIN, INVOLVED IN THE PROTOPLAST FORMATION OF A MARINE GREEN ALGA BRYOPSIS PLUMOSA (CHLOROPHYTA) 1

When the coenocytic green alga Bryopsis plumosa (Huds.) Ag. was cut open and the cell contents were expelled, the cell organelles agglutinated rapidly in seawater to form protoplasts. Aggregation of cell organelles in seawater was mediated by a lectin–carbohydrate complementary system. Two sugars, N‐acetyl‐d ‐glucosamine and N‐acetyl‐d ‐galactosamine inhibited aggregation of cell organelles. The presence of these sugars on the surface of chloroplasts was verified with their complementary fluorescein isothiacyanate‐labeled lectins. An agglutination assay using human erythrocytes showed the presence of lectins specific for N‐acetyl‐d ‐galactosamine and N‐acetyl‐d ‐glucosamine in the crude extract. One‐step column purification using N‐acetyl‐d ‐glucosamine‐agarose affinity chromatography yielded a homogeneous protein. The protein agglutinated the cell organelles of B. plumosa, and its agglutinating activity was inhibited by the above sugars. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis results showed that this protein might be composed of two identical subunits cross‐linked by two disulfide bridges. Enzyme and chemical deglycosylation experiments showed that this protein is deficient in glycosylation. The molecular weight was determined as 53.8 kDa by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The N‐terminal 15 amino acid sequence of the lectin was Ser–Asp–Leu–Pro–Thr–X–Asp–Phe–Phe–His–Ile–Pro–Glu–Arg–Tyr, and showed no sequence homology to those of other reported proteins. These results suggest that this lectin belongs to a new class of lectins. We named this novel lectin from B. plumosa“bryohealin.”     

Cell Surface Carbohydrates in Tritrichomonas foetus1

The cell surface of Tritrichomonas foetus was characterized by using 18 highly purified lectins with specificities for N-acetyl glucosamine, N-acetyl galactosamine, galactose, mannose, and sialic acid. The specificity of the lectin-induced cell agglutination was verified by inhibition of the agglutination with the specific sugars. By using cytochemical techniques associated with electron microscopy, carbohydrates were detected on the cell surface of T. foetus. The following techniques were used: periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate, concanavalin A-horseradish peroxidase, and ruthenium red. Anionic sites were detected on the cell surface of the protozoan at pH's 1.8 and 7.2 with the use of colloidal iron hydroxide and cationized ferritin particles, respectively. The binding of colloidal iron particles, as well as the agglutination induced by the lectin from Limulus polyphemus, indicated the presence of sialic acid on the cell surface of T. foetus.     

The role of microvilli in the agglutination of cells by concanavalin A

Morphological correlates of lectin agglutinability were examined in eight cell lines of varying sensitivity to agglutination by concanavalin A (ConA). The number of microvilli on the surface of cells growing in monolayers was positively correlated with agglutinability. However, when cells were brought into suspension, they all developed numerous microvilli which persisted when the cells were treated with ConA regardless of whether or not they were agglutinated by the lectin. Treatment of cells with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db-cAMP) and theophylline caused a parallel decrease in agglutinability and numbers of microvilli in monolayer cultures, but suspended cells from control and treated cultures were identical in appearance in the absence or presence of ConA. The surface morphology of cells agglutinated by ConA was very similar to that of cells that spontaneously agglutinated in the absence of the lectin, and surface bound ConA was rapidly withdrawn from microvilli on all cell types. Neither the morphology of cells nor the surface distribution of ConA can explain observed differences in agglutinability.     

Glycolipid-lectin interactions: detection by direct binding of 125I-lectins to thin layer chromatograms

Glycolipids that bind 125I-labeled lectins are detected by autoradiography after thin layer chromatography of glycolipid standards or crude lipid extracts. Soybean agglutinin, Bandeiraea simplicifolia I isolectins A4 and B4, and Helix pomatia lectin are used to detect corresponding cell surface, glycolipid receptors in human and bovine erythrocytes. When lipid extracts from A and AB erythrocyte stroma are analyzed with Helix pomatia lectin, a polymorphic expression of blood group A glycolipid determinants is detected. The Bandeiraea simplicifolia isolectins react weakly with human erythrocyte glycolipids but bind at least 4 glycolipids in bovine stroma extracts. Soybean agglutinin reacts with glycolipids in all erythrocytes analyzed. This technique extends lectin specificity studies from inhibition analyses in aqueous systems using available, known structures to identification of specific, lectin-binding glycolipids in crude lipid extracts of cell membranes.     

Comparative studies of the haemagglutination of adult and umbilical cord erythrocytes by animal lectins

1. The sugar specificities of four lactose-binding lectins were studied through the agglutination of adult and/or umbilical cord human erythrocytes (AHRBC and/or CHRBC). 2. Rana catesbeiana egg lectin specifically agglutinated both intact blood group A-AHRBC and intact blood group A-CHRBC. 3. Rana catesbeiana liver lectin agglutinated intact A-AHRBC much more strongly than intact A-CHRBC. 4. Xenopus laevis skin lectin nonspecifically agglutinated AHRBC and CHRBC. 5. Plecoglossus altivelis egg lectin specifically agglutinated intact B-AHRBC, but weakly agglutinated intact B-CHRBC. 6. Comparative studies of lectin-induced AHRBC or CHRBC agglutination clarified the sugar-binding specificities of these lectins.