The potentially insecticidal Narcissus pseudonarcissus lectin demonstrates age-related mitogenicity.
Lectins from monocotyledonous plants such as Narcissus pseudonarcissus (NPA) possess insecticidal properties and have the potential to increase pest resistance in transgenic crops. Therefore it is of interest to investigate the mitogenic properties of such lectins. Mononuclear cells purified from human umbilical cord and adult peripheral blood samples were stimulated with NPA and compared to phytohaemagglutinin as an example of a lectin from a dicotyledonous plant. Here we report that NPA is slightly mitogenic for adult human lymphocytes but mitogenicity is increased more than sevenfold for lymphocytes from umbilical cord blood. Similarly, NPA was found to be mitogenic for peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from lambs and not adult sheep, supporting the age-related mitogenicity and indicating that further examination of the younger human population is warranted.
Summers
Christina
C
Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK.
Forrest
John
J
Norval
Mary
M
Michael Sharp
James
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000166:cytology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010944:Plants; D012756:Sheep / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development
D007306:Insecticides; D037102:Lectins; D008934:Mitogens; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D037121:Plant Lectins; C065887:narcissus lectin