An improved method for purification of wheat germ agglutinin (lectin) by affinity chromatography

Carbohydrate-lectin interactions assayed by SPR

Surface plasmon resonance is a valuable tool to determine the affinity between glycoconjugates and sugar-binding proteins such as plant and animal lectins. The main interest of using such an approach is that neither the lectins - which are proteins - nor their ligands - natural compounds such as glycoproteins, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, or synthetic glycoconjugates such as glycoclusters or neoglycoproteins - require any tag. Because lectins bear several binding sites, they behave like immunoglobulin eliciting avidity phenomena. This peculiarity may lead to erroneous results if special conditions are not applied. We obtained best and reproducible results when the lectin was immobilized and its ligands were used as soluble analytes. With heterogeneous glycoconjugates such as neoglycoproteins (which are heterogeneous in terms of nature, number, and position of sugar residues) or a mixture of oligosaccharides, the data may be more accurately gathered by using the Sips approach, which has been used to determine mean binding constants of polyclonal antibodies. With small analytes such as oligosaccharides, we found it convenient to determine binding constants by using an inhibitory approach: a neoglycoprotein (M (r) = approximately 80,000) was allowed to bind to the immobilized lectin and small oligosaccharides were used as inhibitors. With larger glycoconjugates such as peptides substituted with glycoclusters, direct binding measurements gave accurate results. Because of the availability of low-cost simple sugars (mono- or disaccharides) it is very convenient to use large concentrations of such carbohydrates to clean the sensor chips instead of more drastic cleaning solutions such as acids or alkali, in such a way that the immobilized lectin is stable for many experiments.

Specificities of limulin and wheat-germ agglutinin towards some derivatives of GM3 gangliosides

Lipid vesicles containing derivatives of GM3 ganglioside (II3-N-acetylneuraminosyllactosyl ceramide) were used to study the specificities of two lectins (limulin and wheat germ agglutinin) towards N-acetyl neuraminic acid and N-glycoloylneuraminic acid and some of their natural and chemically modified derivatives. The extent of the lectin binding to the gangliosides was related to the aggregation process of the lipid vesicles which was monitored as an absorbance increase. Limulin binds specifically to lipid vesicles containing N-glycoloyl derivatives of GM3. The hydroxyl group at C-4 and the carboxyl group of neuraminic acid have to be free for the binding to limulin. The side chain of neuraminic acid is not involved in the binding site of limulin. Wheat germ agglutinin binds to GM3 ganglioside only when the hydrophilic tail of the neuraminic group is cut off (C7 analogues). The acetamido group but not the carboxyl group is involved in the binding to wheat germ agglutinin. The wheat-germ-agglutinin-induced aggregation of vesicles containing derivatives of GM3-ganglioside is dependent on the pH, on the ionic strength and on the presence of Ca2+ ions. The dependence on ionic strength and Ca2+ is a consequence of the electrostatic repulsion of the vesicles. The wheat-germ-agglutinin-induced aggregation process of vesicles containing any suitable GM3-ganglioside derivative was reversed by the addition of N-acetylglucosamine showing that the N-acetylneuraminic acid derivatives bind to the N-acetylglucosamine binding site.

Lectin-erythrocyte interaction with external transmembrane glycophorin saccharides controlling membrane internal cytoskeleta

Human red blood cell (RBC, erythrocyte) membranes have internal protein skeletons that govern the cells' distinctive discocyte-echinocyte morphology (shape) changes, seen in conventional microscopy. Glycophorin, the cell's transmembrane protein, presents all of its saccharides outside the cell. The protein sector of glycophorin is linked inside to the RBC cytoskeleton, enabling lectins binding to the external saccharides to gain profound control over internal cytoskeleton behavior, expressed by governance of the visibly seen cell shape. Critical lectin binding stoichiometries ((125)I-labeled lectins) equate to the number of glycophorin monomers per RBC, 7 x 10(5) copies/cell. Wheat germ agglutinin lectin (sialic acid specific) binds to glycophorin's outermost (exo) saccharides and exerts tight control over the cell's morphology. Removal of sialic acid groups (desialation) exposes the endosaccharides of glycophorin, enabling peanut agglutinin and Osage orange lectins to gain equally tight control over the RBC's morphology behavior in simple stoichiometric ratios, bound lectin molecules/glycophorin receptor. Thus, lectin specificities for saccharides are sharply in register with the glycophorin external saccharide composition, the sequence along the chains, and the number of copies of protein (stoichiometry). These relationships were determined via RBC shape change equilibria and also via shape change rates. Rate data are somewhat laborious to determine, but are exquisitely sensitive to lectin specificities and in very small lectin concentrations. Both classes of data enable these interactions to be analyzed in lectin and RBC concentrations approximately 100-fold smaller than agglutinating levels.

Characterization of two galactosidases extracted from wheat germ with a hydroalcoholic solvent

Alpha- and beta-D-galactosidases were characterized from a hydroalcoholic extract of wheat germ (Triticum vulgare). Kinetic constants (Vmax and KM) and the optimal pHs for the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl galactopyranosides by both enzymes were determined. These enzymes presented a high stability in hydroalcoholic medium and were inhibited by iodoacetamide and sodium p-hydroxy-mercuribenzoate.

The binding of N-trifluoroacetyl chito-oligosaccharides to wheat-germ agglutinin: a fluorescence investigation

We describe the synthesis of N-trifluoroacetyl chito-oligosaccharides and their use as ligands to probe the binding sites of wheat-germ agglutinin, a lectin specific for N-acetylglucosamine. The binding is monitored using intrinsic protein fluorescence, which is due to tryptophan side-chains. We present arguments purporting to show the presence of a fluorophore close to each of the four sites. The binding of chito-oligosaccharides to wheat-germ agglutinin is complex and can only be approximately described by an independent and equivalent sites model. This model applies when the ligand concentration range is restricted to higher values. The possible role of ligand-mediated protein aggregation and of site inequivalence is discussed. We find that the affinity of trifluoroacetylated chito-oligosaccharides for wheat-germ agglutinin is higher than that of the N-acetylated parent compounds, the difference increasing with chain length. Our results are in agreement with a model of the binding site previously proposed by Clegg et al. (Biochemistry 22 (1983) 4797-4804).

Interaction with lectin of kappa opioid binding sites solubilized from human placenta

Kappa opioid binding sites from human placenta, prelabeled with 3H-etorphine and solubilized, were retained on wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) agarose and specifically eluted with N-acetylglucosamine. No significant retention was found with other immobilized lectins, including Concanavalin A (Con A), soybean seed lectin (SBA), Pisum sativum lectin (PsA), Lens culinaris Medik. lectin (LcA), and Lathyrus tingitanus lectin(LtA). About 23% of applied kappa sites were specifically eluted from WGA agarose, less than half of the proportion of rat brain opioid binding sites eluted from the same lectin (55%). Receptors from placental extracts were compared with those from other tissues enriched in either kappa or mu sites. The proportion of applied kappa sites from guinea pig cerebellum eluted specifically from WGA agarose was 36%, whereas elution of binding sites from rat thalamus and rabbit cerebellum (enriched in mu sites) was at a level of 55%. This difference in the level of retention on and elution from WGA may reflect differences in the sugar composition of the glycoproteins of the two types of receptors. Succinylation of WGA abolished its ability to retain opioid binding sites, consistent with involvement of sialic acid. However, currently available evidence suggests that differences in retention on WGA between kappa and mu sites may be due to differences in either sialic acid or N-acetylglucosamine content or both.

Localization of glycoconjugates at the tegument of the tapeworms Hymenolepis nana and H. microstoma with gold labelled lectins

Gold labelled lectins were used for electron microscopic localization of carbohydrate components of the tegument surface of two tapeworm species, Hymenolepis nana and H. microstoma. WGA, succinylated WGA, SBA, APA, PNA and, to a lesser extent, Con A were preferentially bound to the spines of the microtrichs. UEA-I and DBA were not adsorbed. The results indicate that the surface coat of both species has exposed N-acetylglucosamine, galactose and perhaps glucose and/or mannose residues. The location of lectin-binding glycoconjugates within the tegument and parenchyma was found using the light microscope on sections of material embedded in Lowikryl K4M after lectin-gold labelling and silver enhancement of the gold grains. The tegument selectively adsorbs WGA and SBA and strongly; adsorbtion of PNA and Con A is less intense. Strong adsorbtion of DBA and PNA was confined to the basal lamina. The parenchyma adsorbed Con A, PNA and DBA, but little WGA and SBA. The results indicate that many glycoconjugates are present in the tegument. They have similar terminal sugar residues to those of the surface coat. The significance of these carbohydrates for host-parasite interactions is discussed.

Purification and saccharide-binding characteristics of a rice lectin

A lectin was purified from rice flour by aqueous extraction followed by precipitation by ammonium sulfate and affinity chromatography on p-aminobenzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-1-thio-beta-D-glucoside-succinyl-aminohexylaminyl -Sepharose 4B. The molecular weight of the lectin is approximately 36,000, as determined by sedimentation-equilibrium analysis. It is a tetramer consisting of two different subunits (Mr = 12,000 +/- 1,000 and 9,000 +/- 1,000). Amino acid analysis indicated that the lectin contains very high proportions of half-cystine, glycine, and glutamic acid. All of the half-cystines are present as -S-S- bridges. The lectin agglutinates human A, B, AB, and O erythrocytes, rabbit erythrocytes, human leukocytes, and is mitogenic to human lymphocytes. The hemagglutinating activity of rice lectin is inhibited by 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucoside, chitobiose, and chitotriose. N-Acetylneuraminic acid was a noninhibitor, but N-acetylneuramin-(2----3)-lactose showed weak inhibition. The agglutinating activity was also inhibited by various sialoglycoproteins. The immobilized rice-lectin bound glycophorin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, and fetuin. Asialoglycophorin, asialofetuin, ovomucoid, and human chorionic gonadotropin were bound only partially to the column.

Eimeria meleagrimitis sporozoites: effect of lectins on invasion of cultured cells

Exposure of primary turkey kidney cell cultures to 100 micrograms/ml wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a lectin that binds N-acetylglucosamine (NAcGl), significantly inhibited invasion of the cells by Eimeria meleagrimitis sporozoites. However, neither succinyl-WGA, a lectin that retains an affinity for NAcGl but does not bind sialic acid, nor pokeweed mitogen, another lectin that binds NAcGl, similarly inhibited invasion. Collectively, the data suggested that the inhibition of invasion may be caused primarily by binding of WGA to anionic moieties on the host cell surface and not to specific binding to NAcGl. Exposure of cells to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, or Ricinus communis lectin, as well as with pokeweed mitogen, failed to inhibit invasion by the sporozoites. Ultraviolet microscopy, using fluorescein-conjugated lectins, showed that the lectins had bound to the surface of the cultured cells. No binding of NAcGl or lectins to the surfaces of the sporozoites was demonstrated by either the clumping of the parasites in different lectin concentrations or the use of fluorescein-conjugated lectins. However, exposure of E. meleagrimitis sporozoites to NAcGl increased invasion of untreated cells by 50%.

Changes in the levels of wheat- and barley-germ agglutinin during embryogenesis in vivo, in vitro and during germination

Radioimmunoassay has been used to measure levels of wheat-germ agglutinin and barley-germ agglutinin during embryogenesis and germination. The two lectins exhibited similar patterns of accumulation during grain maturation in vivo and both decreased to low levels after imbibition of harvest-ripe grains for 3 d. Precocious germination of immature wheat and barley embryos excised and cultured in vitro could be prevented either by inclusion of abscisic acid or mannitol in the culture medium. Changes in the level of wheat-germ agglutinin induced by in vitro culture depended on the maturation stage of the embryo. No direct correlation was found between application of exogenous abscisic acid and accumulation of the lectin.

Fluorescence quenching of tryptophan by trifluoroacetamide

Trifluoroacetamide was found to be a good quencher of tryptophan fluorescence, and the quenching was shown to proceed via both a dynamic and a static process. The respective quenching constants were determined by the measurement of the decrease of the fluorescence lifetime in the presence of the quencher. The static and the bimolecular rate quenching constants of N-acetyltryptophanamide are equal to 0.34 1 X mol-1 and 1.9 X 10(9) 1 X mol-1 X s-1, respectively. These values indicate that trifluoroacetamide is an efficient quencher of tryptophan fluorescence. This conclusion is also supported by a complete quenching of bovine serum albumin and wheat germ agglutinin fluorescence. In the case of lysozyme, trifluoroacetamide quenches the fluorescence of tryptophan residues which fluoresce with a maximum at 348 nm but not the buried tryptophan residues which fluoresce with a maximum at 333 nm. Trifluoroacetamide quenching of wheat germ agglutinin emission confirms the homogeneity and the high accessibility of emitting tryptophan residues, in agreement with a previous report (Privat, J.P. and Monsigny, M. (1975) Eur. J. Biochem. 60, 555-567). The tryptophan fluorescence decay of wheat germ agglutinin is biexponential even in the presence of the quencher; the static and bimolecular rate quenching constants are equal to 0.22 1 X mol-1 and 0.92 X 10(9) 1 X mol-1 X s-1, respectively. In the presence of a specific lectin ligand, the methyldi-N,N'-trifluoroacetyl-beta-chitobioside, the quenching of wheat germ agglutinin fluorescence involves a direct contact between tryptophan residues and trifluoroacetamido groups of the ligand and in contrast with the quenching induced by free trifluoroacetamide shows that the tryptophan fluorescence is not fully quenched.

The binding of monosaccharides to wheat germ agglutinin: Fluorescence and NMR investigations

The synthesis of N-acetyl- and N-trifluoroacetyl-glucosaminides was reported. The interaction of these compounds with wheat germ agglutinin, a plant lectin specific for N-acetyl-glucosamine and sialic acid, was investigated by two complementary approaches: 1H and 19F NMR, and fluorescence spectroscopy. This last technique relies on the existence of a competitive equilibrium involving the protein, the ligand and O-(methylumbelliferyl)-N-acetyl-glucosaminide, a fluorescent saccharide. The binding constants and the chemical shifts in the complex were determined and were related to the protein structure.

Interrelationships between Gramineae lectins

Two Gramineae species, oat and maize, are compared with wheat and barley to see if they contain lectins which are structurally and functionally similar to the Hordeae lectins. Four distinct criteria were examined: localisation of lectin activity in the seed, ability to agglutinate a defined type of erythrocyte in a reaction reversed by monomers or oligomers of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, ability to bind to the affinity matrix p-aminobenzyl-1-thio-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside-substituted Sepharose, and cross-reactivity with monospecific antisera raised to wheat-germ agglutinin. Results indicate that the very close relationship found between the lectins of wheat, barley and rye cannot be extended to those species of Gramineae outside the tribe Hordeae.

Protein-sugar interactions: environmental effect on the fluorescence of O-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-glycosides

We have investigated the effect of 12 solvents and several amino acids on the fluorescence of O-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-glycosides. We showed that: i) the fluorescence quenching is not related to the dielectric constant of the solvents: the fluorescence intensity was maximal in water (d = 80) and in acetic acid (d = 6.2) and was at least ten times lower in acetone (d = 21) and in dioxane (d = 2.2); ii) the fluorescence of O-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminide is not quenched in the presence of various amino acids including arginine, asparagine, aspartate, histidine, leucine, phenylalanine and proline; iii) the fluorescence of O-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-glycoside is quenched by sulfur, phenol and indole amino acids or derivatives containing sulfur, phenol or indole groups. The changes in fluorescence intensities of O-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-glycosides upon binding to concanavalin A, wheat germ agglutinin and lysozyme are discussed with regard to the amino acid content of their binding sites.

A comparative study of the localization of wheat-germ agglutinin and its potential receptors in wheat grains

Wheat-germ agglutinin is located only in the embryo of a dry wheat seed and not in the endosperm tissue. This distribution remains unaltered for up to 96 h of germination and growth. The lectin is found not only in a freely soluble form but also in reversible association with particulate subcellular components. There appear to be no poly-peptides that can be solubilized with sonication and aqueous buffers from the embryo tissue that can interact with the agglutinin. This suggests that in vivo the lectin remains uncomplexed to endogenous glycoconjugates or is only able to bind to glycosylated integral membrane polypeptides. Alternatively the potential endogenous receptor(s) to wheat-germ agglutinin may not contain a polypeptide. Although the lectin is not present in the endosperm, seven polypeptides able to interact in a reversible way with wheat-germ agglutinin could be purified from that tissue.

Cross-reactivity between Acacia (wattle) and rye grass pollen allergens. Detection of allergens in Acacia (wattle) pollen

Immunoglobulin E (IgE), directed against components of Acacia (wattle) pollen, has been detected by radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) in the sera of some children and adults who develop allergic symptoms in the presence of flowering Acacia trees in Australia. All these subjects also had high levels of IgE directed against Lolium perenne (rye grass) pollen. Inhibition by RAST showed that most of the IgE molecules which bound to Acacia pollen components also bound to L. perenne pollen extracts, and to Glycoprotein 1, the major allergen of L. perenne pollen. In these assays, the allergens have been immobilized on polyvinyl chloride microtitre trays: the sensitivity of this approach is compared to that of commercial RAST kits.

Human placental coated vesicles contain receptor-bound transferrin

Human placental coated vesicles have been purified by a method involving sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation and treatment with wheat-germ agglutinin. These preparations were free of contamination by placental microvillus fragments. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis demonstrated that the coated vesicles contained a single serum protein, which was identified as transferrin. This transferrin was only observed after the vesicles were treated with a non-ionic detergent, and its behaviour during crossed hydrophobic-interaction immunoelectrophoresis suggested that a large proportion of it was receptor-bound. No other serum proteins, including immunoglobulin G, could be detected in these preparations. Receptor-bound transferrin was the only antigen common to placental coated vesicles and microvilli, implying that other plasma-membrane proteins are excluded from the region of membrane involved in coated-vesicle formation.

Cell surface receptors for wheat germ agglutinin and limulin in baby hamster kidney cells and ricin resistant variants

The cell surface glycoconjugates of Baby Hamster Kidney cells and of four ricin resistant variants were investigated by the use of 125I-substituted ricin (Ricinus communis toxin) which binds galactose residues, and by the use of fluorescein labelled lectins which bind N-acetylneuraminic acid and/or N-acetylglucosamine: Limulin (Limulus polyphemus agglutinin), wheat germ agglutinin (Triticum vulgare agglutinin) and succinylated wheat germ agglutinin. Striking differences in the number of lectin and/or ricin receptors were found between the cell surface of wild type cells and that of ricin resistant variants. The results are discussed on the basis of the main glycopeptide structure, and of the specificity of the sugar binding proteins used. The ricin resistance of variant cells is concomitant to modifications of the concentration of certain glycoconjugate structures which are accessible to the sugar binding proteins. Depending on the variants, N-asparaginyl glycopeptide types and/or O-glycosidic glycopeptide types are affected.

Improved procedures for purification of the Bandeiraea simplicifolia I isolectins and Bandeiraea simplicifolia II lectin by affinity chromatography

Bandeiraea simplicifolia plant seeds contain a family of five alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-binding isolectins (BS I-A4, A3B, A2B2, AB3, B4) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-binding lectin (BS II). After Pi/NaCl extraction and ammonium sulfate fractionation BS II is specifically adsorbed onto p-aminobenzyl-1-thio-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide-succinylaminohexylaminyl--Sepharose-4B. The BS I isolectins pass through this column and BS II is selectively eluted by Pi/NaCl containing 2 mM N-acetyl-D-glucosamine or by 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer pH 3.6. The material not bound to the column is loaded onto p-aminophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-succinylaminohexylaminyl--Sepharose-4B. BS I-A4 is specifically eluted in a sharp peak with Pi/NaCl containing 1 mM N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. Then, BS I-A3B, A2B2, AB3 and B4 are selectively eluted, in a single peak for each isolectin. with Pi/NaCl containing 2 mM, 8 mM, 15 mM and 50 mM methyl alpha-D-galactopyranoside, respectively.

Characterization of the exposed carbohydrates on the surface membrane of adult Schistosoma mansoni by analysis of lectin binding

The surface architecture of adult male Schistosoma mansoni was explored using a range of lectins with differing carbohydrate specificites. Highest specific binding was achieved with concanavalin A and the agglutinin of molecular weight 60000 from Ricinus communis; the binding of wheat germ agglutinin was mostly non-specific. Small amounts of peanut agglutinin and soybean agglutinin binding were observed and the binding of these lectins was increased by pre-treating the parasite with neuraminidase. The fucose binding protein of Lotus tetragonolobus failed to bind. These results indicate that mannose and/or glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetyl-galactosamine and sialic acid are exposed on the surface of the adult male schistosome.

Stoichiometry of wheat germ agglutinin as a morphology controlling agent and as a morphology controlling agent and as a morphology protective agent for the human erythrocyte

The lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) is an unusually effective agent in controlling both the forward and reverse reactions of the reversible morphology conversion discocyte in equilibrium with echinocyte for the human erythrocyte. Under conditions severe enough to drive the reactions to completion in either direction without the lectin, WGA is able to stabilize both these morphologies and to fully prevent conversion of either morphology. The lectin can quantitatively block both reactions. The ability of WGA to carry out these functions has no obvious rate limitation. Its effectiveness depends mainly on its binding stoichiometry, particularly toward the transmembrane glycoprotein, glycophorin. The critical binding stoichiometries for both the lectin and the echinocytic agent were determined in relation to the binding isotherms using 125I-labeled WGA and 35S-labeled dodecyl sulfate. There appear to be two principal stoichiometries for WGA binding that are important in its control of erythrocyte morphology. The first stoichiometry marks the threshold of obvious protection of the discocyte against strong echinocytic agents such as detergents and, likely, is simply a 1:1 stoichiometry of WGA: glycophorin, assuming currently recognized values of 3--5 x 10(5) copies of glycophorin per cell. The second important stoichiometry, whereby the cell's morphology is protected against extremely severe stress, involves binding of approximately 4--5 WGA molecules per glycophorin. The controls that WGA exerts can be instantly abolished by added N-acetylglucosamine. However, N-acetylglucosamine ligands on the erythrocyte are of less importance than membrane neuraminic acid residues in enabling WGA to control the cell's morphology, as is shown by comparing intact cells with completely desialated cells. WGA can also be used to produce elliptocytes in vitro, but it does this at levels approaching monolayer coverage of the cell with WGA.

Sugar-lectin interactions: how does wheat-germ agglutinin bind sialoglycoconjugates?

The specific binding of N-acetylneuraminic acid to wheat-germ agglutinin is based on configuration similarities between N-acetylneuraminic acid and N-acetylglucosamine. The N-acetamido group and an adjacent hydroxyl group, both in an equatorial position are shown to be the main determinants. The N-acetylneuraminic acid--wheat-germ agglutinin interaction is increased by the removal of the last two carbons C8 and C9. The interaction between wheat-germ agglutinin and glycoconjugates containing N-acetylneuraminic acid is shown to be dependent on a charge effect and on an avidity effect. Succinylated wheat-germ agglutinin which is negatively charged at physiological pH, in contrast with wheat-germ agglutinin which is positively charged, does not bind cell surface glycoconjugates containing N-acetylneuraminic acid but does bind cell surface glycoconjugates containing N-acetylglucosamine. The use of wheat-germ agglutinin and of succinylated wheat-germ agglutinin leads to the determination of the number of cell surface receptors containing N-acetylneuraminic acid.

Properties of succinylated wheat-germ agglutinin

The physicochemical and binding properties of succinylated wheat germ agglutinin are described in comparison with these of unmodified wheat germ agglutinin. Succinylated wheat germ agglutinin is an acidic protein with a pI of 4.0 +/- 0.2 while the native lectin is basic, pI of 8.5. The solubility of succinylated wheat germ agglutinin is about 100 times higher than that of the unmodified lectin at neutral pH. Both lectins are dimeric at pH down to 5, and the dissociation occurs at pH lower than 4.5. The binding of oligosaccharides of N-acetylglucosamine to both lectins is very similar on the basis of fluorescence and phosphorescence studies. The minimal concentration required to agglutinate rabbit red blood cells is about 2 microgram/ml with both lectins and the concentrations of N-acetylglucosamine and di-N-acetylchitobiose which inhibit agglutination are similar with both lectins. The number of succinylated wheat germ agglutinin molecules bound to the surface of mouse thymocytes was ten times lower than that of the unmodified lectin although the apparent binding constant was only slightly different between the two lectins. The dramatic decrease of the apparent number of cell surface receptors upon succinylation of the lectin is discussed on the basis of the decrease of the isoelectric point and of the acidic properties of the cell surface.

Quantitative fluorimetric determination of cell-surface glycoconjugates with fluorescein-substituted lectins

Fluorescein-substituted lectins, which can be used to visualize cell surface glycoconjugates, are shown to be usable in the quantitative determination of the number of receptor sites and of their association constant. The fluorescence measurements of the fluorescein-substituted lectins released from the cell surface with the related inhibitor, give quantitative data in a large range of fluorescein-substituted lectin concentration (0.1 to 100 microgram/ml). Using fluorescein-substituted concanavalin A or [3H]acetyl-concanavalin A, it was found that baby hamster kidney cells (BHK 21, wild-type) bind 10 +/- 2 x 10(6) lectin molecules per cell with an apparent association constant of 1.8 or 1.7 x 10(6) 1 x mol-1, respectively. Using the fluoresceinyl and [3H]acetyl-substituted wheat germ agglutinin, we found 40 +/- 5 x 10(6) sites per cell with an apparent binding constant of 1 and 1.3 +/- 0.3 x 10(6) 1 x mol-1, respectively. When fluorescein-substituted succinyl wheat germ agglutinin was used instead of the unsuccinylated wheat germ agglutinin derivatives, the number of binding sites was reduced 7 times, while the binding constant was very slightly lowered. Concanavalin A derivatives gave monotonic Scatchard plots; on the opposite, wheat germ agglutinin derivatives gave biphasic Scatchard plots suggesting that wheat germ agglutinin binds to two classes of receptors.

Photochemical modifications of the tryptophan residues of wheat-germ agglutinin in the presence of trichloroethanol

Trichloroethanol is an efficient quencher of indole fluorescence of model compounds and proteins [Eftink, M. R. and Ghiron, C. A. (1976) J. Phys. Chem. 80, 486--493]. At low quencher concentrations, the quenching follows the classical Stern-Volmer law. Bimolecular rate constants calculated from measured quenching constants and lifetimes are equal to 6 X 10(9) M-1s-1 and 1.2 X 10(9) M-1s-1 for N-acetyltrypotophanamide and wheat germ agglutinin, respectively. Upon ultraviolet irradiation in the presence of trichloroethanol, transformation of fluorescent tryptophan occurs, leading to a fluorescent photoproduct. This can be easily used as a method for the quantitative determination of fluorescent tryptophan residues in proteins. In good agreement with previous results, two fluorescent tryptophan residues per polypeptide chain are found in wheat germ agglutinin. Concomitantly with the photochemical reactions, the hemagglutinating protein activity and its affinity constant towards chitin oligomers are reduced. A probable location of tryptophan residues in the binding sites of wheat germ agglutinin is proposed.