Determination of lectin characteristics by a novel agglutination technique.
A technique generally applicable for the determination of lectin characteristics is described. A sensitive light transmission/scattering method was adapted for the determination of lectin levels and lectin activity. Applying this procedure Geodia cydonium lectin-mediated agglutination was studied in an agglutimeter device using erythrocytes and even T-lymphocytes. In the Geodia lectin/T-lymphocyte system chosen, (i) a lectin concentration as low as 0.57 micrograms/ml could be measured accurately, (ii) the observed cell agglutination velocity constant with a maximal value of 0.75 min-1 was calculated, and (iii) the size of the agglutinates at a given lectin concentration and time period was estimated. The Geodia lectin activity was determined in parallel also in the erythrocyte system. Here, compared to the lectin/T-lymphocyte system the agglutination efficiency of the Geodia lectin-mediated agglutination was more than 10-fold higher and the lowest detectable lectin concentration was 0.06 micrograms/ml. Compared to the hemagglutination assay the lectin/erythrocyte system turns out to be more sensitive and to give much more information on agglutination behavior; this conclusion is supported by additional data using a second lectin isolated from Pellina semitubulosa. The superiority of the agglutination method described here over other known methods must be seen in its accuracy; moreover more lectin characteristics can be determined.
Flemming
C
C
Institut für Biotechnologie, Leipzig, Germany.
Ulrich
M
M
Schwall
G
G
Schröder
H C
HC
Müller
W E
WE
D000371:Agglutination; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology; D006384:Hemagglutination; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D037102:Lectins / Q000032:analysis*; D008722:Methods; D051379:Mice; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology
D037102:Lectins