| Abstract: | The metal ion content of eighteen different lectins was determined. The lectins were demetallized and the binding activity of native and demetallized forms were investigated using non-denaturing polyacrylamide affinity gel electrophoresis. The binding activities of all lectins were dependent on their metal ion content; when the cations were removed the lectins lost their carbohydrate binding activity. There was a marked difference in the strength with which lectins bind divalent cations. |
