title: Isolation and characterization of isolectins from Erythrina variegata seeds.
abstract: Three isolectins were isolated from seeds of Erythrina variegata (Linn.) var. Orientalis by ion-exchange chromatography, followed by affinity chromatography on lactose-Sepharose 4B and acid-treated Sepharose 4B columns. The purified isolectins (EVLI, EVLII and EVLIII) are all specific for galactopyranosides and N-acetylgalactosamine, and their affinities for simple sugars are EVLIII greater than EVLII greater than EVLI. EVLI and EVLIII are homodimers made up of an A-subunit of molecular mass 36,000 and a B-subunit of molecular mass 33,000, whereas EVLII is a heterodimer composed of the A- and B-subunits. Upon treatment with trifluoromethansulphonic acid, the molecular masses of both subunits decreased to 31,000. Rechromatography of EVLII on the acid-treated Sepharose 4B column again produced the homodimeric lectins (EVLI and EVLIII). It is suggested that the constituent subunits of Erythrina variegata isolectins are eschangeable with each other in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yamasaki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Araki
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D006384:Hemagglutination; D037102:Lectins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D037121:Plant Lectins; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D002241:Carbohydrates; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins