title: Influence of the galactoside-specific lectin from Viscum album and its subunits on cell aggregation and selected intracellular parameters of rat thymocytes.
abstract: Galactose-specific lectin from Viscum album (VAA) was shown to induce the aggregation of rat thymocytes, to increase the intracellular Ca(2+)-availability, and to enhance the menadione-dependent release of H2O2 from cells in a carbohydrate- and dose-dependent manner. This activity was mediated by the carbohydrate-binding B-subunit, whereas the toxic A-subunit failed to display aggregating activity or to affect the intracellular Ca2+. However, incubation of cells in its presence decreased the release of H2O2. These data extend the knowledge of the immunomodulatory potency of VAA, especially its carbohydrate-binding B chain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Belarusian State University, Minsk, Republic of Belarus.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Timoshenko
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Gabius
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002449:Cell Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005697:Galactosides / Q000378:metabolism*; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D014784:Mistletoe / Q000737:chemistry*; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005697:Galactosides; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D002118:Calcium