title: T cell mitogenicity of a novel beta-D-galactoside-specific lectin from the beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma (allo A).
abstract: We examined the lymphocyte mitogenicity of a novel beta-D-galactoside-specific lectin from the beetle Allomyrina dichotoma, named allo A. Allo A was mitogenic to spleen cells of various strains of mice and rats and to human peripheral blood lymphocytes. When the selectivity of mitogenicity to T or B lymphocytes was examined with mouse spleen cells, allo A was selectively mitogenic to T-enriched spleen cells, which indicates that allo A is a T cell mitogen. Thymocytes from non-treated mice hardly responded to allo A, while those from cortisone-treated mice did to a great extent, indicating that allo A is mitogenic to mature thymocytes. The lymphocyte activation with allo A was inhibited by lactose, but not by melibiose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, or methyl-alpha-D-mannoside, which suggests that cell surface molecules containing beta-D-galactosyl residues are of importance in the structure of allo A receptors on the cell surface.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera; D005697:Galactosides / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D037102:Lectins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008934:Mitogens / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D051381:Rats; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: C045794:Allomyrina lectin; D005697:Galactosides; D037102:Lectins; D008934:Mitogens; C007816:beta-galactoside