title: A lectin with antifungal and mitogenic activities from red cluster pepper (Capsicum frutescens) seeds.
abstract: A monomeric mannose/glucose-binding lectin, with a molecular mass of 29.5 kDa and an N-terminal sequence GQRELKL showing resemblance to that of the lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor from the rabbit, has been isolated from the seeds of red cluster pepper Capsium frutescens L. var. fasciculatum. The protocol involved anion exchange chromatography on diethylamino ethanol-cellulose and Q-Sepharose and fast protein liquid chromatography on Mono Q. Its hemagglutinating activity toward rabbit erythrocytes was inhibited by D: -mannose and glucose, specifically. The activity was stable from 0 to 40 degrees C, reached a maximum at pH 7 and 8, and was potentiated by Ca2+ and Mn2+ ions. The lectin showed strong mitogenic activity toward spleen cells isolated from BALB/c mice. The mitogenic activity, which reached a peak at a lectin concentration of 0.27 microM, was inhibited specifically by D(+)-mannose. The lectin was capable of inhibiting the germination of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium moniliforme spores and hyphal growth in the two fungi.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Patrick H K
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Ngai
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001231:Aspergillus flavus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002212:Capsicum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005670:Fusarium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008934:Mitogens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D008934:Mitogens; D037121:Plant Lectins