Mitogenic activity of snake venom lectins.
Five lactose-inhibitable lectins have been isolated from snake venoms. These five share certain biochemical properties but are not identical (Gartner, Stocker & Williams, 1980; Gartner & Ogilvie, 1984). In this study the lectins were tested for their ability to stimulate lymphocytes to undergo DNA synthesis. We found that three of the lectins were comparable in mitogenic activity to the T cell lectin, concanavalin A (Con A). The mitogenic activity was blocked by lactose, a sugar which also blocks the haemagglutination activity of these lectins. Although mitogenic response appeared to be due to T cells, it depended on the presence of accessory cells in the culture. This requirement for macrophages could be replaced by the phorbol ester tumour promoter, 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA).
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004357:Drug Synergism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007785:Lactose / Q000494:pharmacology; D037102:Lectins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology; D008934:Mitogens / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000032:analysis*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
D037102:Lectins; D008934:Mitogens; D012910:Snake Venoms; D007785:Lactose; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate