The concentration of cryoprotective lectins in mistletoe (Viscum album L.) leaves is correlated with leaf frost hardiness

The leaves of mistletoe (Viscum album L.) contain three galactose- and N-acetylgalactosamine-specific isolectin groups (ML I, II, III). The groups ML I and ML III showed strong cryoprotective activity during freezing and thawing of isolated spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) thylakoid membranes, while ML II showed no such activity. The cryoprotective efficiency of the proteins was correlated with their relative hydrophobicity, as determined by a fluorescence titration assay. We found that the frost hardiness of mistletoe leaves was seasonally regulated under natural conditions. While leaves harvested in winter were not damaged by freezing to −20 °C, leaves harvested in July had already suffered 70% electrolyte leakage after freezing to −5 °C. Likewise, the amount of ML I and ML III varied during the year, with the highest amounts of these cryoprotective lectins in winter and early spring and the lowest amounts during the summer months. There was no comparable change in the amount of ML II. These data suggest that some lectins may play a role in the stabilization of cellular membranes under environmental stress conditions. Received: 18 December 1996 / Accepted: 29 March 1997