Probing multivalent carbohydrate-lectin interactions by an enzyme-linked lectin assay employing covalently immobilized carbohydrates

We report here the synthesis of a series of mono- to trivalent N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) derivatives as ligands for the plant lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). Their WGA binding potencies were determined by an established enzyme-linked lectin assay (ELLA) employing microtiter plates with non-covalently immobilized porcine stomach mucin (PSM) as reference ligand and an ELLA with a new GlcNAc derivative covalently immobilized via a thiourea linkage. Comparison of both assays revealed that the type of presentation of GlcNAc residues on the microtiter plates either as part of a glycoprotein or as a covalently immobilized monosaccharide derivative strongly influences the outcome of the assay. Although the apparent dissociation constants K(D)(ELLA) for the interaction of peroxidase-labeled WGA with the microtiter plates are comparable for both surfaces, IC(50) values obtained with the PSM-free ELLA were substantially lower. Even more strikingly, this ELLA displayed a better differentiation between ligands of different valency leading to significantly higher relative inhibitory potencies of multivalent ligands compared to monovalent. Additionally, problems associated with the use of PSM, such as maximum inhibition at considerably less than 100% and poor reproducibility of IC(50) values could be overcome with this type of ELLA.     

人食管鳞状上皮癌糖复合物表达的研究

凝集素可与其相对应的糖复合物特异性结合。在癌症形成过程中细胞表面经历着显著的变化,本文用十种生物素化凝集素即ＵＥＡ－Ｉ、ＲＣＡ－Ｉ、ＤＢＡ、ＰＳＡ、ＰＮＡ、ＢＳＬ、ＬＣＡ、ＷＧＡ、ＣｏｎＡ和ＳＢＡ作为探针,对正常食管上皮和食管鳞状上皮癌进行研究,以确定正常食管上皮和食管鳞状上皮癌中糖复合物的改变,结果发现,ＰＮＡ和ＰＳＡ在正常食管和食管鳞状上皮癌中均无反应,ＲＣＡ－Ｉ、ＤＢＡ、ＢＳＬ、ＬＣＡ、ＣｏｎＡ和ＳＢＡ受体在正常和癌组织中有着特征性变化,ＢＳＬ和ＤＢＡ在食管中无反应,ＬＣＡ、ＳＢＡ和ＲＣＡ－１正常食管和食管鳞状上皮癌中反应方式不同,ＣｏｎＡ和ＷＧＡ则在同一癌组织的不同部位都显示出不同的反应。尽管ＵＥＡ－Ｉ在正常食管和食管鳞状上皮癌均呈阳性反应,但似乎未表现出有意义的变化。上述结果提示食管癌的发生与含α－Ｄ－ＧａｌＮＡｃ（ＤＢＡ和ＳＢＡ）、β－Ｄ－Ｇａｌ／β－Ｎ－ａｃｅｔｙｌ－Ｄ－Ｇａｌａｃｔｏｓａｍｉｎｅ（ＲＣＡ－Ｉ）、α－Ｄ－Ｇｌｃ／α－Ｄ－Ｍａｎ（ＬＣＡ和ＣｏｎＡ）、［β－（１－４）－Ｄ－ＧｌｃＮＡｃ］２／ＮｅｕＮＡｃ（ＷＧＡ）和α－Ｄ－Ｇａｌ（ＢＳＬ）等的糖复合物的改变有较为密切的关系。     

Glycoproteins of drusen and drusen-like lesions

Drusen are a marker of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Lesions similar to drusen, both in histology and their clinical appearance, are also seen in choroidal tumours, chronic inflammatory and degenerative conditions of the eye, and in mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis type II (MCGN-II). This study aims to compare the saccharide composition of these drusen-like lesions in the various ocular pathological groups and in MCGN-II. Formalin fixed and paraffin wax embedded tissue from 21 eyes was studied. The histological diagnoses included AMD, retinal detachment, phthisis bulbi following failed retinal detachment surgery, malignant melanoma, long-standing uveitis, glaucoma and MCGN II. Glycosylation was examined using a panel of twenty biotinylated lectins and an avidin-peroxidase DAB-cobalt revealing system, with and without neuraminidase pre-treatment. High mannose, bi/tri-nonbisected and bisected complex N-glycan, N-acetyl glucosaminyl, galactosyl and sialyl residues were found to be expressed by drusen, while treatment with neuraminidase exposed subterminal N-acetyl galactosamine and galactosyl residues. Similar binding patterns were found in the various pathological groups studied. As there was no significant difference in the lectin-binding pattern in drusen in different pathologies, a common pathogenesis or at least a final common pathway for the elaboration of carbohydrate components of drusen is suggested.     

Interaction of pea (Pisum sativum L.) lectins with rhizobial strains

Lectins from two varieties (PG-3 and LFP-48) of pea have been purified by affinity chromatography on Sephadex G-50. The specific activity increased by 23 and 25 folds, respectively. These lectins from both the varieties were found to be specific for mannose. The purified fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) – labelled lectins showed binding reaction with homologous as well as heterologous strains of Rhizobium spp. The results revealed that pea lectins are not highly specific to their respective rhizobia. Moreover, these lectins showed a greater stimulatory effect on homologous Rhizobium leguminosarum strains.     

The Neck Region of the C-type Lectin DC-SIGN Regulates Its Surface Spatiotemporal Organization and Virus-binding Capacity on Antigen-presenting Cells

The C-type lectin DC-SIGN expressed on dendritic cells (DCs) facilitates capture and internalization of a plethora of different pathogens. Although it is known that DC-SIGN organizes in nanoclusters at the surface of DCs, the molecular mechanisms responsible for this well defined nanopatterning and role in viral binding remain enigmatic. By combining biochemical and advanced biophysical techniques, including optical superresolution and single particle tracking, we demonstrate that DC-SIGN intrinsic nanoclustering strictly depends on its molecular structure. DC-SIGN nanoclusters exhibited free, Brownian diffusion on the cell membrane. Truncation of the extracellular neck region, known to abrogate tetramerization, significantly reduced nanoclustering and concomitantly increased lateral diffusion. Importantly, DC-SIGN nanocluster dissolution exclusively compromised binding to nanoscale size pathogens. Monte Carlo simulations revealed that heterogeneity on nanocluster density and spatial distribution confers broader binding capabilities to DC-SIGN. As such, our results underscore a direct relationship between spatial nanopatterning, driven by intermolecular interactions between the neck regions, and receptor diffusion to provide DC-SIGN with the exquisite ability to dock pathogens at the virus length scale. Insight into how virus receptors are organized prior to virus binding and how they assemble into functional platforms for virus docking is helpful to develop novel strategies to prevent virus entry and infection.     

Lectin binding patterns of Scrippsiella lachrymosa (Dinophyceae) in relation to cyst formation and nutrient conditions

In many dinoflagellates, it has been a challenging task to study the qualitative and quantitative processes leading to encystment because gametes are often not morphologically distinguishable from other vegetative cells. We examined whether sexual differentiation is accompanied by changes in cell surface glycoprotein properties that are reflected in the binding patterns of complementary lectins. Labeling percentages of nine different fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated lectins were analyzed together with cell and cyst abundance in N-deplete and f/2 control cultures of Scrippsiella lachrymosa Lewis throughout an encystment experiment. Although labeling varied between lectins and treatments and considerable changes occurred through time, no direct correlation was observed between glycoconjugate properties and sexual life cycle processes. A conspicuous decrease in labeling of lectins that are complementary to amino sugars (in particular, with WGA, a lectin that is complementary to N-acetylglucosamine) was observed in the low nitrogen treatment, suggesting a link between the nutrient status of a cell and expression of surface carbohydrates. Presumably, the reduction of N-acetylglucosamine residues was an early indication of N stress in cell populations. Labeling experiments with phosphate-limited cells showed that the decrease in WGA-complementary amino-sugar residues was not specific for N stress, but appeared to be a general response to nutrient limitation. Our findings confirm that glycoconjugate composition of dinoflagellate cells can change depending on their physiological state, which has to be considered when applying lectins for taxonomic differentiation of dinoflagellate species.     

Sugar–lectin interactions investigated through affinity capillary electrophoresis

The affinity interactions of Concanavalin A (Con A) with various saccharide oligomers (dextrins, dextrans, and selected N-linked glycans from various glycoproteins) have been investigated through a capillary electrophoresis approach. Con A has shown a notable binding discrimination between the α-1,6-linked dextran and α-1,4-linked dextrin oligomers. Both the binding capacity and binding discrimination appear to decrease with an increase in sugar chainlength. While the core structure of N-linked glycans is deemed to be responsible for the overall binding of various glycans to Con A, the presence of mannose units at the non-reducing ends was found to be very beneficial to the affinity interaction with Con A. Finally, a connection between the glycan–lectin interaction and glycoprotein–lectin interaction has also been suggested.     

Studies on the glycoprotein modification in erythrocyte membrane during experimental cerebral malaria

Plasmodium berghei ANKA (Pb ANKA) is a lethal strain of malaria that causes experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) in rodent models. Pathology of the disease is associated with the sequestration of the infected rbc (irbc) in the micro vessels of brain. In the present study, we analyzed the nature of the glycoprotein modification occurring in irbc membrane during erythrocytic stages of Pb ANKA infection. Titration of naturally occurring glycoproteins with concanavalin A (Con A) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) lectins revealed an enhanced lectin binding ability for the irbc membrane preparations. Partial characterization of the Con A specific determinants (alpha-d-methyl mannoside specificity) by lectin affinity chromatography followed by 2D electrophoresis and WGA specific determinants (sialic acid specificity) by Western analysis revealed the association of novel lectin specific determinants in irbc membrane. To correlate the biochemical changes with the morphological changes, SEM of irbc, and TEM of sequestered irbc were performed. These ultra structural studies revealed variable and irregular surface protrusions and deep surface indentations on irbc. These observations implicate that altered glycoprotein profiles may lead to cytoarchitectural changes in irbc membrane and such changes may be essential to establish contact with the host endothelial cells. These observations may be central to the microvascular sequestration and pathology of ECM.     

Gastrodia anti-fungal protein from the orchid Gastrodia elata confers disease resistance to root pathogens in transgenic tobacco

Diseases of agricultural crops are caused by pathogens from several higher-order phylogenetic lineages including fungi, straminipila, eubacteria, and metazoa. These pathogens are commonly managed with pesticides due to the lack of broad-spectrum host resistance. Gastrodia anti-fungal protein (GAFP; gastrodianin) may provide a level of broad-spectrum resistance due to its documented anti-fungal activity in vitro and structural similarity to insecticidal lectins. We transformed tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Wisconsin 38) with GAFP-1 and challenged transformants with agriculturally important plant pathogens from several higher-order lineages including Rhizoctonia solani (fungus), Phytophthora nicotianae (straminipile), Ralstonia solanacearum (eubacterium), and Meloidogyne incognita (metazoan). Quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting analysis indicated that GAFP-1 was transcribed and translated in transgenic lines. When challenged by R. solani and P. nicotianae, GAFP-1 expressing lines had reduced symptom development and improved plant vigor compared to non-transformed and empty vector control lines. These lines also exhibited reduced root galling when challenged by M. incognita. Against R. solanacearum expression of GAFP-1 neither conferred resistance, nor exacerbated disease development. These results indicate that heterologous expression of GAFP-1 can confer enhanced resistance to a diverse set of plant pathogens and may be a good candidate gene for the development of transgenic, root-disease-resistant crops.     

Influence of fetal bovine serum on cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of lectins in MCF-7 cells

Canavalia ensiformis (ConA), Canavalia brasiliensis (Conbr), and Cratylia floribunda (CFL) lectins have exhibited glucose-mannose binding specificity. We investigated the effect of fetal bovine serum (FBS) concentrations (1, 5, 10, and 20%) on the cytotoxic effect of these lectins against breast tumor cell line MCF-7. Cell viability was examined using the MTT reduction assay. When cells were grown in a medium supplemented with a higher serum concentration (10 or 20%), all lectins were much less toxic. When we used 1% FBS, it was possible to achieve a concentration-dependent activity by all examined lectins, with an IC(50) of 3.5, 25, and 60 μg/mL for ConA, Conbr, and CFL, respectively. All lectins incubated with 1% FBS induced apoptosis and DNA damage in MCF-7 cells. We conclude that ConA, Conbr, and CFL lectins' cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were observed only at low concentrations of serum.