Purification and characterization of an N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-specific lectin from the edible mushroom Schizophyllum commune

An N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc)-specific lectin was purified from the edible mushroom, Schizophyllum commune, using affinity chromatography on a porcine stomach mucin (PSM)-Sepharose 4B column. Under reducing and non-reducing conditions, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gave a major band of 31.5 kDa. The Schizophyllum commune lectin (SCL) showed high affinity toward rat erythrocytes and the sugar inhibition assay exhibited its sugar specificity highly toward lactose and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. It was stable at 55 degrees C for 30 min and at pH 3-10 for 18-h test. The lectin was shown to be a glycoprotein with cytotoxic activity against human epidermoid carcinoma cells. The N-terminus of SCL was blocked but amino acid sequences of internal tryptic peptides showed moderately sequence similarities with some other fungal and plant lectins. Crystals of SCL were obtained by the sitting drop vapour-diffusion method using polyethylene glycol 8000 as the precipitant, and gave an X-ray diffraction pattern to approximately 3.8 angstroms resolution.     

Occurrence of natural lectin with bacterial agglutination property in the serum of lepidopteran pest,Parasa lepida

Insects depend on lectins for non‐self recognition and clearance of invading pathogens. Naturally occurring lectin showing specificity for galactose was purified from the serum of lepidopteran pest Parasa lepida by affinity chromatography using Sepharose 6B coupled with galactose as a gel matrix. Preliminary studies on crude serum agglutinin revealed that the agglutinin molecule showed varying degrees of specificity to avian and mammalian red blood cells tested. Among them, the highest titer of 128 was recorded against rabbit red blood cell type. The agglutinin molecule in the crude serum was stable up to 60°C and at pH between 6 and 9. Also, the hemagglutinating activity was neither dependent on divalent cations nor sensitive to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid treatment. Galactose inhibited the hemagglutinating activity at minimum inhibitory concentration of 12.5 mM and hence it was used as a ligand for affinity chromatography. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed a single band and the molecular weight of the lectin was found to be approximately 90 kDa. Bacterial agglutination activity of the purified lectin with two significant toxin bacteria, namely Salmonella typhi and Bacillus thuringiensis, was observed.     

免疫亲和层析法纯化棕尾别麻蝇(Sarcophagaperegrina)幼虫血淋巴凝集素

 报道了利用免疫亲和层析法纯化棕尾别麻蝇幼虫血淋巴凝集素的结果．哺乳动物红细胞能够特异地吸附凝集素．用兔红细胞与麻蝇幼虫血淋巴凝集素形成的复合体免疫供血家兔,得到麻蝇幼虫血淋巴凝集素的抗体．再利用抗体制备亲和吸附柱,通过免疫亲和层析一次性纯化了麻蝇幼虫血淋巴凝集素． Ｓ Ｄ Ｓ Ｐ Ａ Ｇ Ｅ结果显示,该凝集素的分子量约为７３ ｋ Ｄ．这一结果,与用对麻蝇幼虫血淋巴凝集素有抑制作用的糖蛋白—胎球蛋白和甲状腺球蛋白为配基,亲和层析纯化的结果完全相同,表明用这种免疫亲和层析法纯化凝集素是可行的．为不清楚专一性识别糖或专一性识别糖不典型,难于用普通亲和层析纯化的凝集素,提供了一种有效的纯化方法．     

Mannose-specific lectin from the mushroom Hygrophorus russula

A lectin was purified from the mushroom Hygrophorus russula by affinity chromatography on a Sephadex G-50 column and BioAssist S cation exchange chromatography and designated H. russula lectin (HRL). The results of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyaclylamidegel electrophoresis, gel filtration and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of HRL indicated that it was composed of four identical 18.5?kDa subunits with no S-S linkage. Isoelectric focusing of the lectin showed bands near pI 6.40. The complete sequence of 175 amino acid residues was determined by amino acid sequencing of intact or enzyme-digested HRL. The sequence showed homology with Grifola frondosa lectin. The cDNA of HRL was cloned from RNA extracted from the mushroom. The open reading frame of the cDNA consisted of 528?bp encoding 176 amino acids. In hemagglutination inhibition assay, α1-6 mannobiose was the strongest inhibitor and isomaltose, Glcα1-6Glc, was the second strongest one, among mono- and oligosaccharides tested. Frontal affinity chromatography indicated that HRL had the highest affinity for Manα1-6(Manα1-3)Manβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-4GlcNAc, and non-reducing terminal Manα1-6 was essential for the binding of HRL to carbohydrate chains. The sugar-binding specificity of HRL was also analyzed by using BIAcore. The result from the analysis exhibited positive correlations with that of the hemagglutination inhibition assay. All the results suggested that HRL recognized the α1-6 linkage of mannose and glucose, especially the Manα1-6 bond. HRL showed a mitogenic activity against spleen lymph cells of an F344 rat. Furthermore, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed strong binding of HRL to human immunodeficiency virus type-1 gp120.     

Purification of 3 monomeric monocot mannose-binding lectins and their evaluation for antipoxviral activity: potential applications in multiple viral diseases caused by enveloped viruses.

Three monomeric monocot lectins from Zephyranthes carinata, Zephyranthes candida, and Gloriosa superba with carbohydrate specificity towards mannose derivatives and (or) oligomannose have been isolated and purified from their storage tissues. The lectins were purified by anion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacyl and by gel filtration chromatography on Biogel P-200 followed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The purified lectins, Z. carinata, Z. candida, and G. superba had molecular masses of 12, 11.5, and 12.5 kDa, respectively, as determined by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE, indicating that they are monomers. In a hapten inhibition assay, methyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside inhibited agglutination of both Z. candida and Z. carinata; the latter was also inhibited by Man(alpha1-2)Man and Man(alpha1-3)Man. Gloriosa superba showed inhibition only with Man(alpha1-4)Man of all of the sugars and glycoproteins tested. All purified lectins agglutinated red blood cells from rabbit, whereas G. superba was also reactive towards erythrocytes from guinea pig. All of the lectins were nonglycosylated and did not require metal ions for their activity. They were labile above 60 degrees C and were affected by denaturing agents such as urea, thiourea, and guanidine-HCl. The lectins were virtually nonmitogenic, like other members of Amaryllidaceae and Liliaceae. Of the 3 lectins, G. superba was found to be highly toxic to the BSC-1 cell line (African green monkey kidney epithelial cells), while both of the Zephyranthes species showed significant in vitro inhibition of poxvirus replication in BSC-1 cells without any toxic effects to the cells. In addition, Z. candida also exhibited significant anticancer activity against SNB-78, a CNS human cancer cell line.     

Purification and characterization of an N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-specific lectin from seeds of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A novel lectin (CAA-II) was isolated and purified from the seeds of Cicer arietinum by ammonium sulphate fractionation and affinity chromatography on an N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-linked agarose column. The lectin is composed of four identical subunits of 30 kDa and the molecular mass of the native lectin was estimated to be 120 kDa by gel filtration chromatography and confirmed by mass spectrometry. The lectin showed agglutination activity against rabbit erythrocytes (trypsin-treated and untreated) as well as against human erythrocytes. Haemagglutination inhibition assays showed that the lectin is a galactose-specific protein having a high affinity for N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. The molecular weight, haemagglutination pattern, carbohydrate specificity and N-terminal amino acid sequence indicated that the lectin is clearly distinct from the previously reported chickpea lectin CAA-I.     

Purification and molecular characterization of a sialic acid specific lectin from the phytopathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina

A lectin was isolated and purified from the culture filtrate of the plant pathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina by a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation, affinity chromatography on fetuin-Sepharose 4B and ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-A 50. The lectin designated MPL was homogeneous by PAGE and HPLC and a monomeric protein with a molecular weight of approximately 34 kDa as demonstrated by SDS-PAGE. It is a glycoprotein and agglutinated human erythrocytes regardless of the human blood type. Neuraminidase treatment of erythrocytes reduced the agglutination activity of the lectin. It is thermally stable and exhibits maximum activity between pH 6 and 7.2. Its carbohydrate binding specificity was investigated both by hapten inhibition of hemagglutination and by enzyme-conjugated lectin inhibition assay. Although, M. phaseolina lectin bound sialic acid, it exhibited binding affinity towards neuraminyl oligosaccharides of N-linked glycoproteins, alpha-Neu5Ac-(2-->3)-beta-Gal-(1-->4)-GlcNAc being maximum.     

Purification and characterization of a Neu5Acalpha2-6Galbeta1-4Glc/GlcNAc-specific lectin from the fruiting body of the polypore mushroom Polyporus squamosus

A lectin has been purified from the carpophores of the mushroom Polyporus squamosus by a combination of affinity chromatography on beta-D-galactosyl-Synsorb and ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel. Gel filtration chromatography, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and N-terminal amino acid sequencing indicated that the native lectin, designated P. squamosus agglutinin, is composed of two identical 28-kDa subunits associated by noncovalent bonds. P. squamosus agglutinin agglutinated human A, B, and O and rabbit red blood cells but precipitated only with human alpha(2)-macroglobulin, of many glycoproteins and polysaccharides tested. The detailed carbohydrate binding properties of the purified lectin were elucidated using three different approaches, i.e. precipitation inhibition assay (in solution binding assay), fluorescence quenching studies, and glycolipid binding by lectin staining on high-performance thin layer chromatography (solid-phase binding assay). Based on the results obtained by these assays, we conclude that although the P. squamosus lectin binds beta-D-galactosides, it has an extended carbohydrate-combining site that exhibits highest specificity and affinity toward nonreducing terminal Neu5Acalpha2, 6Galbeta1,4Glc/GlcNAc (6'-sialylated type II chain) of N-glycans (2000-fold stronger than toward galactose). The strict specificity of the lectin for alpha2,6-linked sialic acid renders this lectin a valuable tool for glycobiological studies in biomedical and cancer research.     

Comparative analysis of galactoside-binding lectins isolated from mammalian spleens

Galactoside-inhibitable lectins have been isolated from rabbit, rat, mouse, pig, lamb, calf, and human spleens. Native molecular mass, subunit structure, pI, and hemagglutinating activity have been compared for these lectins. The yields of lectin varied from 1.8 mg/kg for rabbit spleen to 79 mg/kg for lamb spleen. Pig, lamb, calf, and human spleen lectins yielded single protein peaks when subjected to Superose 12 fast-protein liquid chromatography. The apparent molecular mass for these lectins was 33-34 kDa. In contrast, rat and mouse spleen lectin preparations were separated into three components ranging from 8.4 to 34 kDa. Superose 12 chromatography of rabbit spleen lectin revealed the presence of at least six components. Gradient slab gel sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed the presence of single polypeptides for pig, calf, lamb, and human lectins corresponding to a molecular mass of 14-14.5 kDa. Multiple polypeptides were detected for the mouse, rat, and rabbit lectins. The molecular mass of the major polypeptides were 15, 15, and 17 kDa for rat, mouse, and rabbit, respectively. The presence of isolectins in all preparations was shown by isoelectric focusing. The major isolectins were acidic proteins with pI 4.38-4.80. Hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition assays demonstrated similarities as well as differences among the lectin preparations. Hemagglutinating activity could not be demonstrated in rabbit spleen extracts nor for isolated putative lectin. Human buffy coat cells were reversibly agglutinated by calf and human spleen lectins, demonstrating the presence of leucocyte cell surface lectin receptors.     

Purification and characterization of Dolichos lablab lectin

The mannose/glucose-binding Dolichos lablab lectin (designated DLL) has been purified from seeds of Dolichos lablab (hyacinth bean) to electrophoretic homogeneity by affinity chromatography on an ovalbumin- Sepharose 4B column. The purified lectin gave a single symmetric protein peak with an apparent molecular mass of 67 kDa on gel filtration chromatography, and five bands ranging from 10 kDa to 22 kDa upon SDS-PAGE. N-Terminal sequence analysis of these bands revealed subunit heterogeneity due to posttranslational proteolytic truncation at different sites mostly at the carboxyl terminus. The carbohydrate binding properties of the purified lectin were investigated by three different approaches: hemagglutination inhibition assay, quantitative precipitation inhibition assay, and ELISA. On the basis of these studies, it is concluded that the Dolichos lablab lectin has neither an extended carbohydrate combining site, nor a hydrophobic binding site adjacent to it. The carbohydrate combining site of DLL appears to most effectively accommodate a nonreducing terminal alpha-d-mannosyl unit, and to be complementary to the C-3, C-4, and C-6 equatorial hydroxyl groups of alpha-d-mannopyranosyl and alpha-d-glucopyranosyl residues. DLL strongly precipitates murine IgM but not IgG, and the recent finding that this lectin interacts specifically with NIH 3T3 fibroblasts transfected with the Flt3 tyrosine kinase receptor and preserves human cord blood stem cells and progenitors in a quiescent state for prolonged periods in culture, make this lectin a valuable tool in biomedical research.      

7-Deoxyloganin 7-hydroxylase in Lonicera japonica cell cultures

A lectin was isolated from the mushroom Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii by means of affinity chromatography on bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM)-Toyopearl and gel filtration on Superose 12 HR10/30 using a FPLC system. This lectin is composed of four identical 16 kDa subunits and the molecular mass of the intact lectin was estimated to be 64 kDa by gel filtration. In a hemagglutination inhibition assay, it exhibited strong sugar-binding specificity towards asialo-BSM among the mono- or oligo-saccharides and glycoproteins tested. The binding specificity of the lectin was also examined by surface plasmon resonance analysis.     

Purification and characterization of an N-acetyl-d-galactosamine-specific lectin from the edible mushroom Schizophyllum commune

An N-acetyl-d-galactosamine (GalNAc)-specific lectin was purified from the edible mushroom, Schizophyllum commune, using affinity chromatography on a porcine stomach mucin (PSM)-Sepharose 4B column. Under reducing and non-reducing conditions, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gave a major band of 31.5 kDa. The Schizophyllum commune lectin (SCL) showed high affinity toward rat erythrocytes and the sugar inhibition assay exhibited its sugar specificity highly toward lactose and N-acetyl-d-galactosamine. It was stable at 55 °C for 30 min and at pH 3–10 for 18-h test. The lectin was shown to be a glycoprotein with cytotoxic activity against human epidermoid carcinoma cells. The N-terminus of SCL was blocked but amino acid sequences of internal tryptic peptides showed moderately sequence similarities with some other fungal and plant lectins. Crystals of SCL were obtained by the sitting drop vapour-diffusion method using polyethylene glycol 8000 as the precipitant, and gave an X-ray diffraction pattern to approximately 3.8 Å resolution.     

G2/M cell cycle arrest by an N-acetyl-D-glucosamine specific lectin from Psathyrella asperospora

A new N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) specific lectin was identified and purified from the fruiting body of the Australian indigenous mushroom Psathyrella asperospora. The functional lectin, named PAL, showed hemagglutination activity against neuraminidase treated rabbit and human blood types A, B and O, and exhibited high binding specificity towards GlcNAc, as well as mucin and fetuin, but not against asialofetuin. PAL purified to homogeneity by a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation, chitin affinity chromatography and size exclusion chromatography, was monomeric with a molecular mass of 41.8 kDa, was stable at temperatures up to 55 °C and between pH 6–10, and did not require divalent cations for optimal activity. De novo sequencing of PAL using LC-MS/MS, identified 10 tryptic peptides that revealed substantial sequence similarity to the GlcNAc recognizing lectins from Psathyrella velutina (PVL) and Agrocybe aegerita (AAL-II) in both the carbohydrate binding and calcium binding sites. Significantly, PAL was also found to exert a potent anti-proliferative effect on HT29 cells (IC₅₀ 0.48 μM) that was approximately 3-fold greater than that observed on VERO cells; a difference found to be due to the differential expression of cell surface GlcNAc on HT29 and VERO cells. Further characterization of this activity using propidium iodine staining revealed that PAL induced cell cycle arrest at G₂/M phase in a manner dependent on its ability to bind GlcNAc.     

A new lectin from the tuberous rhizome of Kaempferia rotunda: isolation, characterization, antibacterial and antiproliferative activities

A lectin (designated as KRL) was purified from the extracts of Kaempferia rotunda Linn. tuberous rhizome by glucose-sepharose affinity chromatography. KRL was determined to be a 29.0 ± 1.0 kDa polypeptide by SDS-PAGE under both reducing and non-reducing conditions. KRL was a divalent ion dependent glycoprotein with 4% neutral sugar which agglutinated different groups of human blood cells. Methyl-α-D-mannopyranoside, D-mannose and methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside were the most potent inhibitors. N-terminal sequence of KRL showed similarity to some mannose/ glucose specific lectins but the main differences with their molecular masses and sugar content. KRL lost its activity markedly in the presence of denaturants and exhibited high agglutination activity from pH 6.0 to 8.2 and temperature 30 to 60° C. The lectin showed toxicity against brine shrimp nauplii with the LC50 value of 18 ± 6 μg/ml and strong agglutination activity against seven pathogenic bacteria. KRL inhibited the growth of six bacteria partially and did not show antifungal activity. In addition, antiproliferative activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells showed 51% and 67% inhibition in vivo in mice administered 1.25 mg/kg/day and 2.5 mg/kg/day of KRL respectively by injection for five days.     

Purification and characterization of a thermostable mycelial lectin from basidiomycete Lentinus squarrosulus

Lectins are non-immune carbohydrate-binding proteins or glycoproteins with specific binding sites for certain glycoconjugates. Fungal lectins have been documented for their antitumour, antiproliferative, immunomodulatory, hypotensive and insecticidal effects. In the present study, a mycelial lectin having molecular mass 55 kDa has been purified and characterized from Lentinus squarrosulus. Biological action spectrum of the lectin revealed agglutination of all human blood types (A, B, O, AB), goat, sheep, rabbit and pig erythrocytes. Neuraminidase treatment of blood type O erythrocytes considerably augmented hemagglutination titre. Carbohydrate inhibition studies showed its high affinity to mucin and asialofetuin. Lectin was purified by a combination of ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysis, ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. Optimum pH for lectin activity was observed to be 6.5–8.0 and optimum temperature was 25–30°C. Lectin showed poor pH stability and was stable within pH 7.0–7.5. It was highly thermostable and could withstand temperature upto 70°C. Lectin activity was sensitive to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and denaturants.     

Lectins from bulbs of the Chinese daffodil Narcissus tazetta (family Amaryllidaceae).

The isolation of three lectins with similar N-terminal amino acid sequences from the bulbs of the Chinese daffodil Narcissus tazetta was achieved. The isolation protocol involved ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, affinity chromatography on mannose-agarose, and fast protein liquid chromatography-gel filtration on Superose 12. The lectins were all adsorbed on mannose-agarose and demonstrated a single band with a molecular weight of 13 kDa in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a single 26 kDa peak in gel filtration, indicating that they were mannose-binding, dimeric proteins. The lectins differed in hemagglutinating activity, with the magnitude of the activity correlating with the ionic strength of the buffer required to elute the lectin from the DEAE-cellulose column. The bulb lectin did not exert potent cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines or fetal bovine lung cells but inhibited syncytium formation in, and reinstated viability of, fetal bovine lung cells infected with bovine immunodeficiency virus.     

Purification of lectin from perch (Persa fluviatilis L.) roe specific to cellobiose and study of its characteristics

Two lectins with different carbohydrate specificity were purified from perch (Persa fluviatilis L.) roe (coastal ecological form) by affinity chromatography on ovariomucine H-sepharose from a human ovary cyst. One lectin was eluted by cellobiose and another lectin was eluted by L-fucose. The L-fucose-specific lectin interacted only with L-fucose and its derivatives, but did not interact with cellobiose and salicin. The cellobiose-specific lectin interacted with all the examined carbohydrates, but cellobiose was the best inhibitor. This lectin can be also purified on cellulose as an affinity sorbent. Unlike the L-fucose-specific lectin from perch roe, the cellobiose-specific lectin is less soluble in water-saline solutions. Lectin solubility increases greatly in presence of specific inhibitors, cellobiose, in particular. L-fucose, alpha-methyl-L-fucopyranoside and 4-nitrophenyl-alpha-L-fucopyranoside are equivalent inhibitors for both lectins. According to SDS-PAGE data, the lectins contain two components with molecular weight 12-13 kDa. In solutions, these components form molecules with 50 or 100 kDa (depending on pH). Data obtained from electrophoresis in PAAG in alkaline (pH 8.9) and acidic system (pH 4.3), and SDS-PAGE did not display essential distinctions between these both lectins.     

A blood group A specific lectin from the seeds of Crotalaria striata

A lectin, monospecific for human blood group A red blood cells was extracted from seeds of Crotalaria striata and purified by molecular sieving on Sephadex G-100 and ion-exchange on DEAE-cellulose. A molecular mass of 30 kDa was determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-reducing and reducing conditions. Molecular sieving on a Superose 12 column indicated a molecular mass of 110 kDa, suggesting the tetrameric nature of the native protein. Amino-acid composition showed the presence of aminated carbohydrate residues on the lectin. N-terminal amino-acid sequencing showed a striking similarity with the N-terminal sequence of the lectin from Crotalaria juncea, which is blood-group non-specific. The potency order of agglutination inhibition with galactose containing monosaccharides was N-acetyl-D-galactosamine greater than D-galactose greater than D-galactosamine as found for blood-group-A-specific lectins from other species.     

Purification and characterization of a new lectin from the hard roe of skipjack tuna,Katsuwonus pelamis

Fish eggs are known as a rich source of lectins. In this study we purified and characterized a lectin from unfertilized Katsuwonus pelamis hard roe. K. pelamis lectin (KPL) was purified by separation into two fractions above and below the molecular weight of 10kDa using ultramembrane, gel filtration on a Sephadex G-100, and affinity chromatography on an asialofetuin-Sepharose 4B. KPL is a glycoprotein of 140kDa, composed mainly of aspartic acid, glycine, phenylalanine, glutamic acid, threonine and serine residues. Analysis of the carbohydrate composition by gas-liquid chromatography indicated that carbohydrates constituted 14% of the total weight and this 14% is comprised of mannose, galactose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, fucose, arabinose and sialic acid. The lectin is comprised of four subunits. These subunits have a molecular mass corresponding to 35kDa. KPL specifically agglutinated human blood type A erythrocytes and, in a hemagglutination inhibitory test, the potent inhibitors were D-galactose, lactose, lactosamine, asialofetuin, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, O-serinyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside and O-serinyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyranoside (O-serinyl-beta-D-GalNAc). The first 10 residues of the N-terminal region were determined as PVELCDAKCT. Furthermore it was determined that the hemagglutinating activity of KPL was dependent on divalent metal cations and that the optimum activity of KPL was exhibited at 40 degrees C and pH 6.0-8.5 in the presence of Ca2+.     

Isolation and characterization of a new d-galactose-binding lectin from Sambucus racemosa L

A new acidic lectin from red elder (Sambucus racemosa L.) bark has been isolated by affinity chromatography and gel filtration. Noteworthy, and in contrast to other Sambucus species, red elder bark lacks acidic non-toxic type 2 ribosome-inactivating proteins but has basic ribosome-inactivating protein activities. The new lectin (SRLbm) shows specificity for N-Ac-Galactosamine/D-Galactose and has an apparent Mr of 30,000. The N-terminal amino acid sequence displays a close homology with other lectins and B chains of non-toxic type 2 ribosome-inactivating proteins nigrins and ebulins present in other Sambucus species. SRLbm triggers red blood cell agglutination in the range 4-12 micro g/ml.