title: Purification and characterization of Robinia pseudoacacia seed lectins. A re-investigation.
abstract: Two lectins, RPA 1 and RPA 3, were purified from Robinia pseudoacacia seeds. These two lectins differ in their physicochemical and biological properties. By analytical ultracentrifugation the Mr values of RPA 1 and RPA 3 were estimated to be 59,000 and 105,000 respectively. From SDS/polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoresis data it was estimated that RPA 1 consisted of two subunits of Mr 34,000, and RPA 3 of two types of subunits (Mr 30,500 and 29,000). RPA 1 and RPA 3 were found to be glycoproteins of comparable amino acid composition. RPA 1 was the more highly glycosylated molecule (11.6% versus 4.3%). The carbohydrate-specificity of RPA 1 appears to be complex. RPA 3 was inhibited by N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and human alpha-glycoproteins. Both lectins exerted a mitogenic effect on human peripheral-blood lymphocytes. Concentrations between 0.5 and 1 microgram of RPA 3/ml gave optimal proliferative responses, whereas for RPA 1 concentrations higher than 10 micrograms/ml were needed for these responses.
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006384:Hemagglutination / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D037102:Lectins / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D037121:Plant Lectins; D012639:Seeds / Q000032:analysis; D012756:Sheep; D014461:Ultracentrifugation
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D002241:Carbohydrates; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins