Further refinement of the description of the ligand-binding characteristics for the galactoside-binding mistletoe lectin,a plant agglutinin with immunomodulatory potency

The galactoside-binding lectin from mistletoe (Viscum album L.) is a biological response modifier, eliciting e.g. enhanced secretion of cytokines. This immunological activity warrants the further analysis of its ligand-binding properties with special attention paid to blood group epitopes. To avoid the microheterogeneity and complexity of naturally occurring glycoproteins, chemically strictly defined neoglycoconjugates and a panel of synthetic oligosaccharides were employed in solid-phase assays for direct binding and assessment of the relative inhibitory capacity. Since label incorporation into the lectin, although performed under protective conditions, or surface immobilization by adsorption to plastic may affect its affinity characteristics, the extent of neoglycoconjugate binding in the absence of any interfering substance and in the presence of oligosaccharides was determined comparatively with labeled and with immobilized lectin. In principle, these two factors could be excluded to markedly alter binding features. In addition to lactose, the blood group determinants H and B were strongly reactive. A fucose residue can thus especially be accommodated to the binding site when linked to the non-reducing unit. N-Acetyllactosamine was nearly as potent as an inhibitor as lactose. Le^c and the A determinant were notably inferior to the other ABH blood group epitopes. Le^a and Le^x and their sialylated derivatives displayed only very weak binding capacity. Among the two natural isomers of sialyllactose, the α2,6-form displayed a higher level of inhibitory capacity than the α2,3-derivative. Isomeric variants of the Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen, too, reduced lectin binding to the lactose-carrying polymer. Their capacities were surpassed by those of the H and the B determinants and a related form of the latter, the P₁ epitope. An overlap of specificity with the immunomodulatory human galectin-3 is thus measurable for H/B-like structures. The documented differential reactivity of the mistletoe lectin to blood group oligosaccharides may have a bearing on the responsiveness of blood group-positive cell populations. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Uterine lipid alterations during early pseudopregnancy and following the artificial induction of decidualization by concanavalin A in QS mice

Lipid extracts of whole uterine tissue from mice were examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry during days 2, 3, and 4 of pseudopregnancy (day 1 = copulatory plug) and following the artificial induction of the decidual cell reaction (DCR) on day 4. The range of lipids identified during pseudopregnancy and their percentage composition on day 2 included saturated fatty acids (SFA, 38%), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA, 20%), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, 17%), sterols (25%), long chain alcohols (0.12%), and alkylglycerols (0.11%). Of these, the main components were the fatty acids 16:0 (21%), 18:0 (14%), cis18:1n-9 (14%), 18:2n-6 (8.5%), and cholesterol (24%). Although only subtle changes in the composition of uterine lipids occurred through days 2 and 3 of pseudopregnancy, more substantial changes were detected on day 4, at a time when the uterus normally initiates its transient “window of receptivity.” Following induction of the DCR with the lectin Concanavalin A (Con A) at this time, even greater alterations in uterine lipid composition were observed. From 20 to 1,280 min post-Con A-treatment the percentage composition of SFA in the treated left uterine horn changed from 43% to 64%, sterols from 19% to 4%, PUFA from 15% to 10%, while MUFA remained unchanged at 23%. The lipid profile of the untreated right uterine horn of these animals was similar to that of the Con A-treated left uterine horn during the early stages. However, by 1,280 min substantial differences were observed, at a time corresponding with Con A-induced uterine growth. In contrast, differences in the lipid profile of Con A- and saline-treated uteri were observed at 320 min post-treatment, a time preceding Con A-induced uterine growth. Furthermore, the tissue concentration (nmol/mg dry weight) of SFA and sterols in uterine tissue decreased significantly following Con A treatment. The results suggest that uterine lipid changes are implicated in the development of uterine receptivity, and in the remodeling of uterine tissue for successful embryonic invasion and the establishment of pregnancy. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc     

烟草与蓝猪耳胚胎发生中细胞表面三种凝集素受体的动态分布

以异硫氰酸甲酯(FITC)标记的三种凝集素(伴刀豆凝集素, 麦芽凝集素和大豆凝集素)为荧光探针,对烟草及蓝猪耳各发育时期胚细胞表面的凝集素受体进行了定位.结果显示胚柄基部荧光信号最强,沿胚柄单列细胞向胚体方向渐次减弱.以后随着胚柄功能的逐渐丧失而改变.同时,三种凝集素受体集中分布于胚柄细胞间的分裂面;凝集素受体在原胚中分布的另一个特点是聚集于新形成的细胞壁上.随着胚胎发育至分化阶段,凝集素受体则主要分布在胚体细胞的外切向壁上;三种凝集素受体的动态分布显示了凝集素受体的分布与细胞分裂之间的密切关系及其调控胚胎发育的作用.     

家蝇蛹凝集素的分离工艺和性质的初步研究

通过缓冲液浸提、戊二醛固定化红细胞吸附、亲和层析和凝胶过滤等方法,从家蝇蛹中分离纯化出一种对半乳糖专一的凝集素.结果表明,亲和层析后,SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳检测家蝇蛹凝集素(MPL)分子质量为84 ku.SephadexG-200凝胶过滤后,MPL分子质量为86 ku.家蝇蛹凝集素专一性识别D-半乳糖,其血凝活力对热不稳定,不依赖Ca²⁺,在pH 6～9之间稳定.家蝇蛹凝集素对Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis和Salmonella typhi有抑制作用.     

Identification of lectin receptors for conserved SARS‐CoV‐2 glycosylation sites

New SARS‐CoV‐2 variants are continuously emerging with critical implications for therapies or vaccinations. The 22 N‐glycan sites of Spike remain highly conserved among SARS‐CoV‐2 variants, opening an avenue for robust therapeutic intervention. Here we used a comprehensive library of mammalian carbohydrate‐binding proteins (lectins) to probe critical sugar residues on the full‐length trimeric Spike and the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS‐CoV‐2. Two lectins, Clec4g and CD209c, were identified to strongly bind to Spike. Clec4g and CD209c binding to Spike was dissected and visualized in real time and at single‐molecule resolution using atomic force microscopy. 3D modelling showed that both lectins can bind to a glycan within the RBD‐ACE2 interface and thus interferes with Spike binding to cell surfaces. Importantly, Clec4g and CD209c significantly reduced SARS‐CoV‐2 infections. These data report the first extensive map and 3D structural modelling of lectin‐Spike interactions and uncovers candidate receptors involved in Spike binding and SARS‐CoV‐2 infections. The capacity of CLEC4G and mCD209c lectins to block SARS‐CoV‐2 viral entry holds promise for pan‐variant therapeutic interventions.     

亚洲玉米螟C型凝集素CTL6的克隆和功能分析

【目的】鉴定出一种新的亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) C型凝集素(C-type lectin),并对其功能进行初步研究。【方法】通过生物信息学分析,从亚洲玉米螟转录组中筛选得到一个可能的C型凝集素基因,命名为CTL6。利用RT-PCR技术分析该基因在亚洲玉米螟不同龄期、不同组织及不同病原物诱导下的表达模式。借助原核及杆状病毒真核表达系统产生重组CTL6蛋白,并利用细菌凝集实验对其功能进行初步研究。【结果】CTL6基因cDNA全长序列为1 034 nt,其中完整开放阅读框为945 nt。推导的CTL6多肽序列包括314个氨基酸残基,N端含有由22个氨基酸残基组成的信号肽。CTL6成熟肽中含有两个串联的糖识别结构域,与烟草天蛾Manduca sexta的IML-2 (Immulectin-2)同源性最高。RT-PCR结果显示,CTL6在亚洲玉米螟5龄幼虫期转录水平最高,卵期其次,不同组织中则是在脂肪体中转录水平最高,呈诱导性表达。纯化的CTL6重组蛋白对大肠杆菌Escherichia coli具有一定的凝集作用。【结论】鉴定到的亚洲玉米螟CTL6是一种典型的C型凝集素,重组CTL6蛋白可能参与了亚洲玉米螟对病原菌的凝集作用。     

昆虫hemocytin蛋白研究进展

本课题组前期研究发现,绿僵菌素A与家蚕Bombyx mori的hemocytin蛋白互作,强烈抑制血淋巴免疫,预示hemocytin可能成为一种杀虫剂的新型作用靶标。因此,进一步了解hemocytin十分必要。Hemocytin是昆虫血淋巴免疫的重要因子,作为一种凝集素,介导血淋巴中的凝血、结节和囊胞化过程,防止表皮破损造成的血淋巴外溢和微生物入侵,并参与对已入侵病原的固定与清除。昆虫的hemocytin一般由3 000～4 000个氨基酸组成,是一个巨大的多结构域蛋白,含有多个重复排列的结构域,包括FA58C (coagulation factor 5 or 8 C-terminal), VWD (von Willebrand factor type D), TIL (trypsin inhibitor like cysteine rich), VWC (von Willebrand factor type C), CT (C-terminal cystine knot-like), C8 (8 conserved cysteine residues), ChtBD2 (chitin...     

雪花莲外源凝集素基因转化番茄

将含有雪花莲外源凝集素基因（ＧＮＡ）的质粒ｐＲＳＳＧＮＡ１通过冻融法转化到根癌土壤杆菌９Ａｇｒｏｂａｃｔｅｒｉｕｍ ｔｕｍｅｆａｃｉｅｎｓ（Ｓｍｉｔｈ ｅｔ Ｔｏｗｎｓｅｎｄ）Ｃｏｎｎ）菌株ＬＢＡ４４０４中。采用叶盘法转化番茄（Ｌｙｃｏｐｅｒｓｉｃｏｎ ｅｓｃｕｌｅｎｔｕｍ Ｍｉｌｌ．）栽培品种“Ｃ８”、“Ａ３９”和“Ａ５３”,获得了含ＧＮＡ基因的４３株转化植物株。通过卡那霉素抗性鉴定、ＮＰＴⅡ基     

鳞毛蕨凝集素的分离纯化与性质

阔鳞鳞毛蕨[Dryopteris championi(Benth.)C.CHr.]的叶片组织经硫酸铵沉淀、活性炭柱及DEAE-SepharoseFF离子交换柱等步骤纯化得到鳞毛蕨凝集素(Dryopteris championi lectin)。纯化的鳞毛蕨凝集素(DCL)在聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳上显示1条蛋白质着色带。其中性糖含量高,氨基酸组成中队(苯丙氨酸)含量最高,His(组氨酸)含量最低。对不同动物红细胞及人的不同血型红细胞的凝集有专一性。其凝血活性能被果糖、半乳糖和N-乙酰半乳糖胺所抑制,对温度变化较不敏感,Mn^2 和Mg2 在一定浓度范围能激活其为EDTA-Na2所抑制的活性。     

植物凝集素的功能

植物凝集素是来源于植物的一类能凝集细胞和沉淀单糖或多糖复合物的非免疫来源的非酶蛋白质。由于其对于单糖或糖复合物特异性结合的能力,使得其在如信号转导、免疫反应、植物防御等诸多信号过程中均具有重要作用。同时植物凝集素具有细胞凝集、抗病毒、抗真菌及诱导细胞凋亡或自噬等多种能力,因此在生命科学、医学及农业方面均有较好的研究价值和应用前景。综述了植物凝集素的研究历史和凝集素的主要功能,并对现阶段凝集素的重点应用做简要介绍。