Evidence of an endogenous lectin receptor in seeds of the legume Cratylia floribunda

Cratylia floribunda seeds were ground and the clean crude saline extract was fractionated into albumin, globulin, prolamin, acidic and basic glutelin protein fractions. These protein fractions were examined for the presence of an endogenous lectin receptor by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, western blot, affinity chromatography on a Sepharose 4B-Cratylia floribunda (CFL) lectin column and kinetic analysis in real time by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Prolamin was the richest protein fraction although very poor in haemagglutinating activity. Basic glutelin was far the less interesting fraction for lectin activity and protein content, even though this fraction contains considerable amounts of carbohydrates. Lectin was present in all protein fractions as estimated by haemagglutinating assays but basic glutelins were almost devoid of lectin activity. Except for prolamins, protein bands were detected by SDS-PAGE in all other fractions. Western blot using digoxigenin labelled Con A revealed a single band in the albumin, globulin, acidic and basic glutelin fractions, which specifically interacted with ConA. This band migrated exactly at the same position in such fractions and seemed to be more important in the globulins. Affinity chromatography of the protein fractions on a Sepharose-CFL column yielded a peak, which was only recovered after elution with acidic buffered solution or with an alpha-D-mannose solution and the monosaccharide was recognized by the lectin. These results were fully corroborated by real time interaction of immobilized CFL with the different soluble protein fractions suggesting the presence of a lectin receptor within albumins, globulins and basic glutelins. As a whole, the results suggest that the lectin from Cratylia floribunda recognizes a soluble endogenous glycosylated receptor through an interaction mediated by its carbohydrate-binding site.

Purification, chemical, and immunochemical properties of a new lectin from Mimosoideae (Parkia discolor)

A glucose/mannose-binding lectin was isolated from seeds of Parkia discolor (Mimosoideae) using affinity chromatography on Sephadex G-100 gel. The protein presented a unique component in SDS-PAGE corresponding to a molecular mass of 58,000 Da, which is very similar to that of a closely related lectin from Parkia platycephala. Among the simple sugars tested, mannose was the best inhibitor, but biantennary glycans, containing the trimannoside core, present in N-glycoproteins, also seem to be powerful inhibitors of the haemagglutinating activity induced by the purified lectin. The protein was characterised by high content of glycine and proline and absence of cysteine. Rabbit antibodies, anti-P. platycephala seed lectin, recognised the P. discolor lectin. However, no cross-reaction was observed when a set of other legume lectins from sub-family Papilionoideae and others from families Moraceae and Euphorbiaceae were assayed with the Parkia lectins. This suggests that Parkia lectins comprise a new group of legume lectins exhibiting distinct characteristics.