应用生物素标记的凝集素分析登革Ⅱ型病毒糖蛋白

应用十二种生物素标记的凝集素,分析了经SDS-PAGE和电转印分离的登革Ⅱ型病毒(D_2V)糖蛋白。结果表明:D_2V的包膜糖蛋白E可与三种D-甘露糖特异的凝集素(conAPSA及LCA)结合,提示E蛋白的寡糖链为高甘露糖型。D_2V的糖基化非结构蛋白NS_1可与两种D-甘露糖特异的凝集素conA及LCA结合,提示NS_1的寡糖链亦为高甘露糖型。实验结果还显示了一些可能为C6/36细胞感染D_2V后新合成、合成量增加或减少以至完全受抑制的糖蛋白成分,有关这些糖蛋白的性质、功能、意义尚不清楚。在本实验条件下,这种生物素标记凝集素印迹法证明了其敏感性和糖基特异性,可以作为分析各种微量含糖大分子的一种实用方法。     

Paragonimus ohirai: immunobiochemical characterization on the tegumental glycocalyx of excysted juvenile recognized by a monoclonal antibody

The tegumental glycocalyx of excysted juvenile (EJ) of Paragonimus ohirai was immunobiochemically characterized using a monoclonal antibody (MS-Mab). HPLC gel filtration showed that the antigens detected by two-site ELISA had a molecular weight of greater than or equal to 2 x 10(6) Da (dextran marker). On reduced SDS-PAGE, the glycocalyx antigen retained in the stacking gel was cleaved into several much smaller antigens after pronase treatment. The antigenic activity of the glycocalyx was stable in two-site ELISA to heat and acid treatments, but sensitive to alkali, periodate, base/borohydride, and pronase treatments. Precipitin formation in immunodouble diffusion between MS-Mab and EJ crude antigen was inhibited only by two monosaccharides: galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine. The purified glycocalyx bound strongly to PNA lectin, fairly well to RCA120 lectin, and slightly to SBA lectin, but not to Con A, WGA, UEA-1, DBA, or LFA lectins. Exo-beta-galactosidase treatment increased SBA binding, whereas it decreased PNA binding. PNA was observed to strongly bind to the body surface of living EJ. The antigenic activity of the glycocalyx was remarkably lost by incubation with exo-beta-galactosidase and O-glycanase. The glycocalyx was reactive with sera of P. ohirai-infected rats, and its reactivity was remarkably reduced by O-glycanase treatment. The ELISA level was higher in sera at an early stage of infection than in a late one. These studies show that the EJ tegumental glycocalyx is antigenic in infection, a marked, high molecular weight glycoprotein containing antigenic O-linked sugars, and that the sugar epitope is at the nonreducing terminal of the O-linked sugars and is composed of galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine.     

Intracellular immature subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin in first trimester placental cells: purification and characterization

As we previously reported [Sakakibara et al. (1986) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 137, 443-452; and Tominaga et al. (1989) J. Biochem. 105, 992-997], subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) containing immature N-linked sugar chains (immature subunits), i.e., the 21 kDa form of alpha-subunit and the 23 and 19 kDa forms of beta-subunit, are present predominantly in first trimester placental cells. The molecular mass of intracellular hCG consisting of these subunits, based on gel filtration, was approximately 200 kDa, suggesting homo- or hetero-oligomerization of intracellular hCG. In the present study, we purified the 21 kDa form of alpha-subunit as well as the 23 and 19 kDa forms of beta-subunit from fresh normal first trimester placental tissues by gel filtration and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Purified subunits were hydrolyzed (with a decrease in their molecular weighs) by endoglycosidase H and alpha-mannosidase but not by sialidase or sialidase followed by O-glycanase, indicating that those forms have presumably only high-mannose-type N-linked sugar chains but not O-linked sugar chains of the type present in mature beta-subunit. Fifteen cycles of Edman degradation of the purified forms of the subunits were performed. Only one phenylthiohydantoin amino acid, which was the same amino acid as in the urinary beta-subunit, was detected at each step for the mixture of 23 and 19 kDa forms of beta-subunit, indicating that the protein backbones of both forms are identical to each other as well as to the urinary beta-subunit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lectin histochemistry of human skeletal muscle

Biotinyl derivatives of seven plant lectins-concanavalin A (Con A), peanut agglutinin (PNA), Ricinus communis agglutinin I (RCA I), Ulex europeus agglutinin I (UEA I), soybean agglutinin (SBA), Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-were bound to cryostat sections of biopsied normal human muscle and visualized with avidin-horseradish peroxidase conjugates. A distinct staining pattern was observed with each lectin. The most general staining was observed with Con A, RCA I, and WGA, which permitted strong visualization of the plasmalemma-basement membrane unit, tubular profiles in the interior of muscle fibers, blood vessels, and connective tissue. PNA gave virtually no intracellular staining, while SBA and UEA I selectively stained blood vessels. DBA was unique in providing good visualization of myonuclei. In each case, lectin staining could be blocked by appropriate sugar inhibitors. Neuraminidase pretreatment of the cryostat sections altered the pattern of staining by all lectins except UEA I and Con A; staining with RCA I became stronger and that with WGA became less intense, while staining with PNA, SBA and DBA became stronger and more generalized, resembling that of RCA I. These effects of neuraminidase pretreatment are in conformity with the known structure of the oligosaccharide chains of membrane glycoproteins and specificities of the lectins involved.     

Lectin binding to newt epidermis: fluorescent localization and effects on motility

The ability of seven lectins to bind to newt epidermal cells and influence their motility was examined. Of the seven fluoresceinated lectins applied to frozen sections containing intact newt skin and migrating epidermis (wound epithelium), only Con A (concanavalin A), WGA (wheat germ agglutinin), and PNA (peanut agglutinin) produced detectable epidermal fluorescence. Con A and WGA each heavily labeled all layers of intact epidermis, but PNA bound only to the more superficial layers. In contrast to a single population of labeled cells in migrating epidermal sheets after treatment with Con A, there were both labeled and unlabeled cells after exposure to either WGA or PNA. The wound bed was labeled by both Con A and WGA, but not by PNA. DBA (Dolichos bifloris agglutinin), RCA I (Ricinus communis agglutinin), and UEA (Ulex europaeus agglutinin), did not produce significant fluorescence with either migrating or intact epidermis. In general, inhibitory effects on epidermal motility correlated with the binding studies. Thus, Con A, WGA, and PNA, the lectins which clearly bound to the epidermis, all produced a concentration-dependent depression in the rate of epidermal wound closure. RCA was somewhat paradoxical in that it was moderately inhibitory despite showing essentially no binding. The effects of SBA and UEA were equivocal. DBA had no effect. These results indicate that the inhibition of motility produced by Con A that we have described previously is not peculiar to this mannose-binding lectin, but is shared by at least one lectin with an affinity for D-GlcNAc (WGA), and one with an affinity for B-D-Gal(1-3)-D-GalNAc (PNA).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Rice alpha-mannosidase digesting the high mannose glycopeptide of glutelin

α -Mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.24) from rice dry seeds was purified to homogeneity. Optimum pH and K_m for pNP- α -Man hydrolysis were pH 4.3–4.5 and 1.04 m M , respectively. The enzyme digested mannobioses such as Man α -1,2Man, Man α -1,6Man, Man α -1,3Man but Man α -1,4Man. Zn²⁺ ion was required for the activity, whereas EDTA and swainsonine inhibited the activity by 80 and 96%, respectively. The rice storage protein, glutelin was prepared and its basic subunits were shown to have high mannose-type sugar chains by two-dimensional mapping using NH₂-P and C₁₈ silica columns. They were Man₉GlcNAc₂, Man₈GlcNAc₂, Man₇GlcNAc₂, Man₆GlcNAc₂ and Man₅GlcNAc₂. All these oligosaccharides were digested by the purified α -mannosidase, and Man-GlcNAc₂ and mannose were formed. Glycopeptides, having these high mannose-type sugar chains, could also be digested by the α -mannosidase. Subunits were prepared from glutelin basic subunit and the richest subunit among them, subunit 2 (isoform 2), was digested by the α -mannosidase. Isoform 2 was digested by V8 protease only partially and slowly. However, isoform 2, pre-treated with the α -mannosidase, was rapidly and completely digested by V8 protease.     

水稻谷蛋白是类似于豆球蛋白的蛋白质

水稻是我国的主要粮食作物,它的蛋白质含量为5—14%。在水稻种子蛋白质中,谷蛋白占80%,球蛋白占10%,醇溶蛋白占5%,清蛋白占5%。据报道,水稻种子清蛋白主要由分子量16800的亚基组成,球蛋白由10种不同分子量的亚基通过疏水交互作用相结合,谷蛋白由分子量38000、25000和16000三种亚基通过双硫键相结合:但是,Yamagata(1982)和作者(1983、1984、1986)的研究表明:水稻种子谷蛋白主要由分子量     

Extraction and composition of rice endosperm glutelin

“Crude” glutelin was prepared from milled rice (Oryza sativa) flour by sequential extraction of the albumin-globulin fraction with 0.5 M NaCl and prolamin with 70% ethanol-0.6% β-mercaptoethanol. The solvent, 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-0.6% β-mercaptoethanol, extracted 91% of the endosperm glutelin without gelatinizing starch granules, whereas chaotropic solvents such as urea and guanidine caused extensive gelatinization. The S-cyanoethyl glutelin (Ce-glutelin) prepared by SDS extraction of the “crude” glutelin (9.5% protein) of IR480-5-9 rice gave three major subunits with MW 38000, 25000 and 16000 in the ratio 2:1:1 as determined by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A similar preparation from “crude” glutelin of a lower protein containing rice had the corresponding subunits in the ratio of 16:3:1. The MW 38000 subunit was unique to glutelin and was not present in C3-albumin-globulin or prolamin; the subunits were only partially purified by SDS Sephadex G-150 gel-filtration. The C3-glutelin was also prepared from a crude glutelin-prolamin preparation from IR480-5-9 by NaOH extractions followed by precipitation at pH 10 and ethanol extraction of the precipitate (C3-glutelin). This preparation had the same three major subunits and in the same ratio as C3-glutelin prepared by the SDS method. The subunits of the former preparation were separated by carboxymethyl Sephadex C-50 chromatography; the MW 38000 subunit eluted between pH 6.2–8.5, the MW 25000 in an impure state at pH values above 9, and the MW 16000 subunit was eluted at pH 8.6—9.2. Amino acid composition of the Ce-glutelin preparations were similar to each other. The MW 38000 and 16000 subunits had lower lysine contents than whole C3-glutelin, whereas the MW 25000 subunit had a higher lysine content.     

Recognition of novel amphiphiles with many pendent mannose residues by Con A.

Novel amphiphiles which carry many mannose residues as side chains were prepared by telomerization of N-methacryloylaminopropyl D-mannopyranoside (alpha:beta = 20:1), N-methacryloylaminohexyl D-mannopyranoside (alpha:beta = 20:1), or 3-(2-methacryloylaminoethylthio)propyl D-mannopyranoside (alpha:beta = 4:1) using a lipophilic radical initiator. The mannose-carrying amphiphiles incorporated in liposomes were recognized by a lectin from Canavalia ensiformis (Con A), which was proven by the increase in turbidity of the liposome suspension after mixing with Con A. The interaction between sugar residues on the liposome surface and the lectin was largely affected by the degree of polymerization (DP) and the surface density of the amphiphile in the liposomes. The distance between the sugar residues and the polymer main chain did not affect the specific recognition by the lectin significantly in the liposome system, whereas it appreciably affected the recognition in the water-soluble polymer system. The association constants (Ka) of the amphiphiles (DP approximately 18) with Con A (0.3-2.2 x 10(6) M-1 at 25 degrees C) were much larger than that of alpha-methyl D-mannopyranoside (8.2 x 10(3) M-1) due to the "cluster effect ". The positive entropy change (20-52 J/mol K) for the binding of Con A to mannose residues on the liposome surface showed that the recognition in the liposome system was largely promoted by the release of water molecules from both the sugar residues on the liposome surface and the binding site of Con A.     

The microheterogeneity of androgen-binding protein in rat serum and epididymis is due to differences in glycosylation of their subunits

The microheterogeneity of androgen-binding protein (ABP) from rat serum and epididymis was examined by subjecting purified native or deglycosylated preparations to analysis by one- or two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) followed by electrophoretic transfer to nitrocellulose and immunochemical localization. Analysis of native ABP by one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE confirmed earlier observations that it is composed of subunits and that the subunits of serum ABP had higher apparent molecular weights than those of epididymal ABP. Treatment with neuraminidase, N-glycanase, or O-glycanase, alone or in combination, resulted in decreases in the apparent molecular weight of the subunits. These analyses indicated that terminal sialic acid residues and Asn-linked oligosaccharides were present on both subunits of ABP from the two sources. The fact that the greatest reduction in the Mr of the heavy subunit occurred following treatment with all three enzymes provides evidence that O-linked sugars are present on it. While enzyme treatment did not result in the appearance of a single subunit, chemical deglycosylation did (Mr 39,600). The carbohydrate composition of the heavy and light subunits of intact serum and epididymal ABP was 22 and 9% and 19 and 8%, respectively. Analysis by two-dimensional PAGE indicated that both subunits of the ABPs were composed of isoelectric variants. Although ABP from the two sources had several variants in common, differences were also observed. Treatment of the ABPs with the enzymes resulted in a shift of the pI values to a more basic pH range, indicating that carbohydrate removal also removed charged moieties. The most dramatic shift in the pI values of the isoforms occurred when O-glycanase was present in the enzyme mixture, providing further evidence for the presence of O-linked oligosaccharides on ABP. Isoelectric variants were present even after chemical deglycosylation of ABP.     

Heterogeneity of cell population of lymphoma NK/Ly and leukemia L-1210 according to carbohydrate structure of cell surface: immunocytochemical analysis of lectin binding

The heterogeneity of tumor cell populations according to binding of lectins from lentil (LcL), wheat germs (WGA), peanut (PNA) and concanavalin A was investigated on a model of murine Nemeth-Kellner lymphoma (NK/Ly) and leukemia L-1210. Bound lectins were detected by indirect immunochemical method using home obtained polyclonal antilectin antibodies and immunogold silver staining (IGSS) technique. Significant differences in binding of Con A were revealed between NK/Ly (67% Con A+) and L-1210 (7.2% Con A+) cells, while the differences in binding of other lectins with both types of tumor cells were not significant. A relatively high percentage of PNA+ cells was registered that can indicate a high degree of desialization of membrane glycoproteins.     

Structures of the carbohydrate chains of membrane glycoproteins IIb and IIIa of human platelets

Human platelet membrane glycoproteins IIb (GPIIb) and IIIa (GPIIIa), which have been proposed to be subunits of a receptor for fibrinogen, were purified from Triton X-100-solubilized platelet membranes by affinity chromatography on a concanavalin A (Con A)-Sepharose column followed by preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Compositional analyses of the purified glycoproteins showed that GPIIb and GPIIIa contain 15% and 18% carbohydrate by weight, respectively, which consists of galactose, mannose, glucosamine, fucose, and sialic acid. This suggested that these glycoproteins contained N-linked carbohydrate chains. The carbohydrate chains were released from each glycoprotein by hydrazinolysis and then fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography on a Mono Q column. From each glycoprotein, mono-, di-, and trisialylated and neutral oligosaccharide fractions were obtained. The structures of these oligosaccharides were investigated by means of compositional and methylation analyses and digestion by exoglycosidase, and their reactivities to immobilized lectins were also examined. The neutral oligosaccharides, which comprised about 14% of the total oligosaccharides released from GPIIb and about 52% of that from GPIIIa, were found to be of the high mannose-type, in that they contained 5 or 6 mannose residues. On the other hand, a major part of the acidic oligosaccharides was found to consist of typical bi- and triantennary complex-type sugar chains, and much smaller amounts of tetraantennary complex-type sugar chains, and complex-type sugar chains with a fucosyl residue at a N-acetylglucosamine residue in the peripheral portion or a bisecting N-acetylglucosamine at a beta-mannosyl residue in the core portion were also detected. In conclusion, we found that GPIIb contained mainly complex-type sugar chains, whereas high mannose-type sugar chains were the predominant carbohydrate units in GPIIIa, and that the detected differences in the carbohydrate moieties of GPIIb and GPIIIa were quantitative but not qualitative.     

Mutants lacking glutelin subunits in rice: mapping and combination of mutated glutelin genes

Nine mutant lines lacking glutelin subunits were selected from M₂ seeds of about 10000 M₁ plants mutagenized with gamma rays or EMS and from 1400 mutant lines selected originally for morphological characters. There were three types of mutants, one line lacking the largest subunit among four minor bands of glutelin acidic subunits (Type 1), five lines lacking the second largest subunit band (Type 2), and three lines lacking the third largest subunit band (Type 3). Mutants lacking the smallest subunit band were not found. Type 1 lacked 2 of the 10 spots of glutelin acidic subunits separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and 1 of the 11 spots of the 57-kDa glutelin precursor. Type 2 lacked 2 spots of acidic subunits and 1 spot of the 57-kDa glutelin precursor, and had low amounts of 1 of the 8 spots of glutelin basic subunits. Type 3 mutants lacked each of 1 spot of the acidic subunits and glutelin precursor and had low amount of 1 spot of the basic subunits. Genetic analysis of the mutated genes showed that these mutant characters were controlled by single recessive genes named glu-1, glu-2, and glu-3, respectively. Mutated genes of different lines of the same type were found to be at the same locus. RFLP analysis of F₂ plants between the mutant lines and cv `Kasalath' indicated that glu-1 is on chromosome 2, glu-2 on chromosome 10, and glu-3 on chromosome 1. These mutant genes were combined by crossing, and a line lacking the 3 minor bands of the glutelin acidic subunits was developed. However, the total glutelin content of this line was not remarkably reduced, showing a only 13% decrease. Received: 1 April 1996 / Accepted: 14 June 1996     

Activation of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in E-mast cells by peanut agglutinin

Mouse E-mast cells were differentiated and grown by culturing bone marrow cells in medium containing WEHI-3-conditioned medium. These cells possess surface receptors to the following agglutinins: peanut (PNA), concanavalin A (Con A), and soybean (Sb). One to 200 micrograms of PNA/10(6) E-mast cells selectively stimulated the generation of leukotriene C4 (LTC4) in the absence of beta-hexosaminidase release. Exposure of 10(6) E-mast cells to 1 to 200 micrograms Con A or Sb had no effect either on preformed mediator release or on the generation of leukotrienes. LTC4 was quantitated by integrated UV absorbance after resolution by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. The optimum release of LTC4 (13.2 ng/10(6) cells) was achieved by 50 micrograms of PNA/10(6) cells. The response is characterized by the inhibition by excess amounts of PNA. The amount of LTC4 generated during optimal PNA stimulation is lower than the amount produced after stimulation by IgE-antigen or by calcium ionophore A23187 (19.8 ng and 148 ng, respectively). The release of LTC4 began within 5 min after PNA stimulation, and reached a plateau within 45 to 60 min at 37 degrees C. This kinetic pattern is similar to that observed after calcium ionophore A23187 stimulation of these cells. The results suggest that PNA is capable of selectively activating the 5-lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid without affecting beta-hexosaminidase secretion. Apparently, separate biochemical events may serve to mobilize each class of mediators.     

Immunological relationships among the major seed proteins of cereals

The structural relationships among the major seed proteins of cereals was evaluated by Western blot analyses using antibodies raised against the wheat gliadin, rice glutelin acidic and basic subunits, and rice prolamine polypeptide. Consitent with the conservation of the primary sequences of these proteins, antibodies to the acidic and basic glutelin subunits cross-reacted with homologous polypeptides from oat as well as pea. The rice glutelin antibodies did not react with the major seed proteins from barley, rye, maize and sorghum. Antibodies raised against the acidic glutelin subunit reacted with the wheat glutenins but antibodies to the basic glutelin subunit did not. A comparison of the published primary sequences of a high molecular weight glutenin and rice glutelin showed little similarity except for a conserved peptide with the motif arg-gln-leu-gln-cys. The possible significance of this conserved element shared by these widely different proteins is discussed. Similar studies with the wheat gliadin antibody showed immunologically related components in plants of the subfamily Festucoideae except for rice. Antibodies raised against the rice prolamine recognized only the rice prolamine, indicating that this polypeptide was structurally distinct from other cereal prolamines. Overall, these results support and help clarify the evolutionary relationship of the cereals.     

Lectin binding and inhibition studies reveal the importance of D-glucose, D-mannose and N-acetylglucosamine during early sexual development of Dictyostelium discoideum

Fluorescein-conjugated and non-conjugated lectins were used to determine which surface sugars are involved in the early events of sexual (macrocyst) development in Dictyostelium discoideum. Only zygote giant cells showed unique binding of FITC-WGA and FITC-PNA while all cell types (amoebae, gametes, binucleates, giant cells) showed identical patterns of FITC-Con A, -Gorse and -RCA II binding. In spite of its non-selective labelling of all cell types, Con A inhibited macrocyst formation. The temporal addition of Con A with and without specific hapten sugars indicates the importance of both D-mannose and D-glucose in phagocytosis and, possibly, cell fusion. WGA also inhibited macrocyst formation. Varying the time of addition of the lectin plus/minus its primary hapten sugar implicates N-acetylglucosamine as being important in cell fusion. Neither Gorse, RCA II nor PNA had any detectable inhibitory effects on macrocyst development leaving the appearance of increased PNA receptors at the giant cell surface as an enigma.     

The Processing of a 57-kDa Precursor Peptide to Subunits of Rice Glutelin

The processing of a 57-kDa peptide into 37- and 22-kDa subunitsof glutelin, a major storage protein of rice, was confirmedby the immunological compatibility between the precursor andglutelin subunits. The 57-kDa peptide reacted with the antiseraraised against purified 37-kDa and 22-kDa subunits of glutelin.The processing was further confirmed by alteration of an invivo protein synthesis by monensin, a sodium ionophore whichinhibits the intracellular transport of secretory and membraneproteins. Infusion of monensin into developing rice grains resultedin suppressed formation of mature glutelin subunits with concomitantaccumulation of the 57-kDa peptide. The present results indicatethat both subunits of rice glutelin were produced by post-translationalcleavage of the 57-kDa peptide. (Received July 9, 1986; Accepted October 1, 1986)     

Trypanosoma rhodesiense bloodstream trypomastigote and culture procyclic cell surface carbohydrates

Bloodstream trypomastigote and culture procyclic (insect midgut) forms of a cloned T. rhodesiense variant (WRAT at 1) were tested for agglutination with the lectins concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin P (PP), soybean agglutinin (SBA), fucose binding protein (FBP), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and castor bean lectin (RCA). Fluorescence-microscopic localization of lectin binding to both formalin-fixed trypomastigotes and red cells was determined with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated Con A, SBA, FBP, WGA, RCA, PNA (peanut agglutinin), DBA (Dolichos bifloris), and UEA (Ulex europaeus) lectins. Electron microscopic localization of lectin binding sites on bloodstream trypomastigotes was accomplished by the Con A-horseradish peroxidase-diamino-benzidine (HRP-DAB) technique, and by a Con A-biotin/avidin-ferritin method. Trypomastigotes, isolated by centrifugation or filtration through DEAE-cellulose or thawed after cryopreservation, were agglutinated by the lectins Con A and PP with agglutination strength scored as Con A greater than PP. No agglutination was observed in control preparations or with the lectins WGA, FBA or SBA. Red cells were agglutinated by all the lectins tested. Formalin-fixed bloodstream trypomastigotes bound FITC-Con A and FITC-RCA but not FITC-WAG, -SBA, -PNA, -UEA or -DBA lectins. All FITC-labeled lectins bound to red cells. Con A receptors, visualized by Con A-HRP-DAB and Con A-biotin/avidin-ferritin techniques, were distributed uniformly on T. rhodesiense bloodstream forms. No lectin receptors were visualized on control preparations. Culture procyclics lacked a cell surface coat and were agglutinated by Con A and WGA but not RCA, SBA, PP and FBP. Procyclics were not agglutinated by lectins in the presence of competing sugar at 0.25 M.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A survey of lectin binding in Paramecium

To better understand the general distribution of glycoproteins and the distribution of specific glycoprotein-bound sugar residues in Paramecium, a survey of the binding pattern of selected lectins was carried out in P. tetraurelia, P. caudatum, and P. multimicronucleatum. Lectins studied were concanavalin A (Con A), Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinins I and II (GS I and GS II), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Ulex europaeus (UEA I), peanut agglutinin (PNA), Ricinis communis toxin (RCA60) and agglutinin (RCA120), soybean agglutinin (SBA), Bauhinia purpurea agglutinin (BPA), Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), and Maclura pomifera agglutinin (MPA). Those giving the most distinctive patterns were Con A, GS II, WGA, UEA I, and PNA. No significant differences were found between the three species. Concanavalin A, a mannose/glucose-binding lectin, diffusely labeled the cell surface and cytoplasm and, unexpectedly, the nuclear envelopes. Events of nuclear division, and nuclear size and number were thus revealed. Both WGA and GS II, which are N-acetylglucosamine-binding lectins, labeled trichocyst tips, the cell surface, and the oral region, revealing stages of stomatogenesis. The lectin WGA, in addition, labeled the compartments of the phagosome-lysosome system. The lectin PNA, an N-acetyl galactosamine/galactose-binding protein, was very specific for digestive vacuoles. Finally, UEA I, a fucose-binding lectin, brightly labeled trichocysts, both their tips and body outlines. We conclude that a judicious choice of lectins can be used to localize glycoproteins and specific sugar residues as well as to study certain events of nuclear division, cellular morphogenesis, trichocyst discharge, and events in the digestive cycle of Paramecium.     

Investigating the glycosylation of normal and ovarian cancer haptoglobins using digoxigenin-labelled lectins

Human haptoglobin (Hp), prepared from 10 normal sera and 10 ovarian cancer sera as well as from 11 ovarian cancer ascitic fluids, was characterized with regard to its reactivities with different lectins. Digoxigenin-labelled lectins [peanut agglutinin (PNA),Arachis hypogaea; SNA,Sambucus nigra; MAA,Maackia amurensis; DSA,Datura stramonium; and Con A, concanavalin A] with different carbohydrate specific moieties were used to identify sugar structures in Hp by blotting and by a quantitative assay in multiwell plates [lectin/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)]. It was found that the lectin blotting was only useful for preliminary investigations, but that the lectin/ELISA gave interesting results that indicated the presence ofN-linked complex chains. Despite the fact that PNA interacted weakly with desialylated Hp in lectin blotting, no other evidence was obtained to suggest the presence ofO-linked glycans. Quantitative differences between normal and cancer Hp were observed for Con A, SNA and MAA, but no difference was found in the reaction with DSA. The binding of cancer Hp to Con A and SNA was twice that of normal Hp. Normal serum and ascitic fluid Hp bound similar amounts of MAA, but three times that observed for cancer serum Hp. Our results suggest that normal and ovarian cancer Hp differ in the content of carbohydrate structures containing sialic acid linked (2–6) or (2–3) to galactose and the type of oligosaccharide branching.