Phenotyping chickpeas and pigeonpeas for adaptation to drought

The chickpea and pigeonpea are protein-rich grain legumes used for human consumption in many countries. Grain yield of these crops is low to moderate in the semi-arid tropics with large variation due to high GxE interaction. In the Indian subcontinent chickpea is grown in the post-rainy winter season on receding soil moisture, and in other countries during the cool and dry post winter or spring seasons. The pigeonpea is sown during rainy season which flowers and matures in post-rainy season. The rainy months are hot and humid with diurnal temperature varying between 25 and 35°C (maximum) and 20 and 25°C (minimum) with an erratic rainfall. The available soil water during post-rainy season is about 200-250 mm which is bare minimum to meet the normal evapotranspiration. Thus occurrence of drought is frequent and at varying degrees. To enhance productivity of these crops cultivars tolerant to drought need to be developed. ICRISAT conserves a large number of accessions of chickpea (>20,000) and pigeonpea (>15,000). However only a small proportion (<1%) has been used in crop improvement programs mainly due to non-availability of reliable information on traits of economic importance. To overcome this, core and mini core collections (10% of core, 1% of entire collection) have been developed. Using the mini core approach, trait-specific donor lines were identified for agronomic, quality, and stress related traits in both crops. Composite collections were developed both in chickpea (3000 accessions) and pigeonpea (1000 accessions), genotyped using SSR markers and genotype based reference sets of 300 accessions selected for each crop. Screening methods for different drought-tolerant traits such as early maturity (drought escape), large and deep root system, high water-use efficiency, smaller leaflets, reduced canopy temperature, carbon isotope discrimination, high leaf chlorophyll content (drought avoidance), and breeding strategies for improving drought tolerance have been discussed.

Clinical utility of the interaction between lectin and serum prostate specific antigen in prostate cancer

The present investigation was a lectin-based diagnosis of malignant prostate cancer (PC) by the interaction of phytohemagglutinin (PHA lectin) from Phaseolus vulgaris with the glycan part of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) of patients with prostatic disorder. This was confirmed by the interaction between PHA and purified PSA obtained from serum by electrophoretic separation and finally by HPLC chromatography. The precipitate of carbohydrate content after binding of PHA with purified PSA of PC was significantly higher than that of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and/or normal serum PSA. The results suggest that there may be a striking difference in glycosylation pattern of PSA between BPH and PC. The cut off value > or = 10 microg/ml of the carbohydrate content of PHA-PSA precipitate indicates strong suspicion for PC irrespective of total serum PSA cut off level > or = 4.0 ng/ml by conventional immunoassay method and this may be taken as a guideline in differentiating PC and BPH. Key words: prostate cancer, BPH, PSA, lectin.

Osmotic adjustment increases water uptake, remobilization of assimilates and maintains photosynthesis in chickpea under drought

Eight chickpea advanced breeding lines (ABLs) and their parents were evaluated for osmotic adjustment (OA), leaf carbohydrates and gas exchange under dryland field . These (ABLs) were derived from crosses between CTS 60543 x Kaniva and Tyson x Kaniva. Mean leaf water potential (LWP) fell down from -1.00 MPa at pre-stress level to about -2.25 MPa during terminal stress. Relative water content (RWC) showed periodic changes with alternate decrease or increase at certain interval, which also influenced the values of OA (low or high) in number of genotypes e.g. Kaniva, CTS 60543, Tyson and M 75. Significant variation in OA ranging 0.45 to 0.88 MPa was observed at high level of stress at -2.5 MPa. However, none of the genotypes showed stability of OA over the period of stress. Leaf starch declined even at mild stress (LWP, -1.6 MPa) resulting in an increase in hexose sugars and activation state of sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS) that led to accumulation of sucrose. Both photosynthesis (Pmax) and transpiration decreased concurrently in two chickpea lines M 129 and Tyson with increasing water stress. However, rate of decline in the photosynthesis slowed down even drought was further intensified. The observed periodic changes in OA, RWC and photosynthesis appeared to be associated with drought-induced changes in SPS and carbohydrates which modify water uptake of the leaves.

Human papillomavirus prevalence in postradiotherapy uterine cervical carcinoma patients: correlation with recurrence of the disease

To understand the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in recurrence of uterine cervical cancer (CA-CX) after radiotherapy, we have analyzed the HPV prevalence in the exfoliated cells of 56 patients and their corresponding plasma. HPV DNA was detected in exfoliated cells of 78% (44/56) patients (HPV-16, 68%; HPV-18, 14%; HPV-X [other than 16, 18], 11%; and mixed infection of HPV-16 and HPV-18 in three cases). HPV DNA in plasma was present in only 25% (11/44) of the HPV-positive exfoliated cells (positive predictive value, 100%; negative predictive value, 27%) with concordance in HPV types. The recurrence of the disease was significantly associated with the presence of HPV in the exfoliated cell (P= 0.01) and plasma (P= 0.007) as well as high viral load in the exfoliated cell (P= 0.0002). Kaplan-Meier disease-free estimates have also shown the significant association between HPV prevalence in plasma and recurrence of the disease (P= 0.045). Thus, it indicates that in postradiotherapy CA-CX patients, the high viral load in the exfoliated cell as well as HPV presence in the plasma samples could be used in early detection of the patients at increased risk for disease recurrence and progression.

Human papillomavirus prevalence in postradiotherapy uterine cervical carcinoma patients: correlation with recurrence of the disease

To understand the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in recurrence of uterine cervical cancer (CA-CX) after radiotherapy, we have analyzed the HPV prevalence in the exfoliated cells of 56 patients and their corresponding plasma. HPV DNA was detected in exfoliated cells of 78% (44/56) patients (HPV-16, 68%; HPV-18, 14%; HPV-X [other than 16, 18], 11%; and mixed infection of HPV-16 and HPV-18 in three cases). HPV DNA in plasma was present in only 25% (11/44) of the HPV-positive exfoliated cells (positive predictive value, 100%; negative predictive value, 27%) with concordance in HPV types. The recurrence of the disease was significantly associated with the presence of HPV in the exfoliated cell (P = 0.01) and plasma (P = 0.007) as well as high viral load in the exfoliated cell (P = 0.0002). Kaplan–Meier disease-free estimates have also shown the significant association between HPV prevalence in plasma and recurrence of the disease (P = 0.045). Thus, it indicates that in postradiotherapy CA-CX patients, the high viral load in the exfoliated cell as well as HPV presence in the plasma samples could be used in early detection of the patients at increased risk for disease recurrence and progression.

Production and metabolism of indole acetic acid in roots and root nodules of Phaseolus mungo

The mature root nodules of Phaseolus mungo (L.), a leguminous pulse, contain higher amount of indole acetic acid (IAA) than non-nodulated roots. The tryptophan pool present in the mature nodule and young roots might serve as a precursor for the IAA production. Presence of IAA metabolising enzymes - IAA oxidase and peroxidase - indicate the metabolism of IAA in the nodules and roots. In culture, the symbiont, isolated from the nodules, produced a high amount of IAA, when tryptophan was supplied in the medium as a precursor. The symbiont preferred l-isomer over the dl- or d-isomer of tryptophan for IAA production. The important physiological implication of the IAA production in the legume-Rhizobium symbiosis is discussed.

Visual inspection with acetic acid and cytology in the early detection of cervical neoplasia in Kolkata, India

Visual inspection of the cervix after application of 3-5% acetic acid (VIA) is a potential alternative to cytology for screening in low-resource countries. The present study evaluated the performance of VIA, magnified visual inspection after application of acetic acid (VIAM), and cytology in the detection of high-grade cervical cancer precursor lesions in Kolkata (Calcutta) and suburbs in eastern India. Trained health workers with college education concurrently screened 5881 women aged 30-64 years with VIA, VIAM, and conventional cervical cytology. Detection of well-defined, opaque acetowhite lesions close to the squamocolumnar junction; well-defined, circumorificial acetowhite lesions; or dense acetowhitening of ulceroproliferative growth on the cervix constituted a positive VIA or VIAM. Cytology was considered positive if reported as mild dysplasia or worse lesions. All screened women (N = 5881) were evaluated by colposcopy, and biopsies were directed in those with colposcopic abnormalities (N = 1052, 17.9%). The final diagnosis was based on histology (if biopsies had been taken) or colposcopic findings, which allowed direct estimation of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. Moderate or severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ (CIN 2-3 disease) was considered as true positive disease for the calculation of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of screening tests. 18.7%, 17.7% and 8.2% of the women tested positive for VIA, VIAM, and cytology. One hundred twenty two women had a final diagnosis of CIN 2-3 lesions. The sensitivities of VIA and VIAM to detect CIN 2-3 lesions were 55.7% and 60.7%, respectively; the specificities were 82.1% and 83.2%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of cytology were 29.5% and 92.3%, respectively. All the tests were associated with negative predictive values above 98%. VIA and VIAM had significantly higher sensitivity than cytology in our study; the specificity of cytology was higher than that of VIA and VIAM.

Visual inspection with acetic acid and cytology in the early detection of cervical neoplasia in Kolkata, India

Visual inspection of the cervix after application of 3–5% acetic acid (VIA) is a potential alternative to cytology for screening in low-resource countries. The present study evaluated the performance of VIA, magnified visual inspection after application of acetic acid (VIAM), and cytology in the detection of high-grade cervical cancer precursor lesions in Kolkata (Calcutta) and suburbs in eastern India. Trained health workers with college education concurrently screened 5881 women aged 30–64 years with VIA, VIAM, and conventional cervical cytology. Detection of well-defined, opaque acetowhite lesions close to the squamocolumnar junction; well-defined, circumorificial acetowhite lesions; or dense acetowhitening of ulceroproliferative growth on the cervix constituted a positive VIA or VIAM. Cytology was considered positive if reported as mild dysplasia or worse lesions. All screened women (N = 5881) were evaluated by colposcopy, and biopsies were directed in those with colposcopic abnormalities (N = 1052, 17.9%). The final diagnosis was based on histology (if biopsies had been taken) or colposcopic findings, which allowed direct estimation of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. Moderate or severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ (CIN 2–3 disease) was considered as true positive disease for the calculation of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of screening tests. 18.7%, 17.7% and 8.2% of the women tested positive for VIA, VIAM, and cytology. One hundred twenty two women had a final diagnosis of CIN 2–3 lesions. The sensitivities of VIA and VIAM to detect CIN 2–3 lesions were 55.7% and 60.7%, respectively; the specificities were 82.1% and 83.2%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of cytology were 29.5% and 92.3%, respectively. All the tests were associated with negative predictive values above 98%. VIA and VIAM had significantly higher sensitivity than cytology in our study; the specificity of cytology was higher than that of VIA and VIAM.

Growth behaviour and bioproduction of indole acetic acid by a Rhizobium sp. isolated from root nodules of a leguminous tree Dalbergia lanceolaria

The Rhizobium sp. isolated from healthy and mature root nodules of a leguminous tree, Dalbergia lanceolaria Linn. f., preferred mannitol and KNO3 for growth as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The bacterium produced a high amount (22.3 microg/ml) of indole acetic acid (IAA) from L-tryptophan supplemented basal medium. Growth and IAA production started simultaneously. IAA production was maximum at 20 hr when the bacteria reached the stationary phase of growth. Cultural requirements were optimized for maximum growth and IAA production. The IAA production by the Rhizobium sp. was increased by 270.8% over control when the medium was supplemented with mannitol (1%,w/v), SDS (1 microg/ml), L-asparagine (0.02%,w/v) and biotin (1 microg/ml) in addition to L-tryptophan (2.5 mg/ml). The possible role of IAA production in the symbiosis is discussed.

R-factor in Proteus vulgaris from ulcerative disease of fish, Channa punctatus

A Proteus vulgaris isolated from external ulcers of the fresh water fish Channa punctatus showed multidrug resistance and heavy metal tolerance. The isolate from the ulcer showed resistance to chloramphenicol (Ch), nalidixic acid (Nx), streptomycin (Str) and tetracycline (Tet) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 750, 150, 75 and 125 microg/ml, respectively. The isolate showed growth in medium containing cadmium (Cd2+), up to a concentration of 2.5 mM indicating its heavy metal tolerance. Resistance to Ch, Str, Tet and Cd2+ of the isolate was lost after plasmid curing. Presence of plasmid DNA in the wild type and its absence in the cured P. vulgaris suggested that the resistance were plasmid mediated.

Spondylolisthesis in osteogenesis imperfecta due to pedicle elongation: report of two cases

STUDY DESIGN

Two cases of spondylolisthesis due to severe elongation of pedicles in osteogenesis imperfecta are reported.

OBJECTIVE

To describe an unusual type of spondylolisthesis and its successful management.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Spondylolisthesis is known to occur in osteogenesis imperfecta. Reports in the literature are few. Pedicle elongation resulting in spondylolisthesis has only been reported once. There is no report of a successful treatment of this type of spondylolisthesis resulting from pedicle elongation.

METHOD

Two adolescent girls suffering from osteogenesis imperfecta presented with lower back pain and thoracic scoliosis. One of them had high-grade spondylolisthesis of L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1, with a thoracic scoliosis. She was treated with anterior interbody fusion L3 to sacrum without instrumentation. Later, progression of her scoliosis required combined anterior and posterior instrumented fusion T1 to L1. The other girl presented with L5 spondylolisthesis and thoracic scoliosis. She has back pain as well as neurologic symptoms in her legs and is waiting for surgery.

RESULTS

At the 3-year follow-up the operated patient is symptom-free from her spine and there has been no progression of either deformity.

CONCLUSION

High-grade spondylolisthesis due to elongation of pedicle in osteogenesis imperfecta is uncommon. Anterior interbody fusion of all the involved motion segments has produced good pain relief and arrested deformity progression at the 3-year follow-up.

Extracellular polysaccharide production by Azorhizobium caulinodans from stem nodules of leguminous emergent hydrophyte Aeschynomene aspera

The Azorhizobium caulinodans isolated from the stem nodules of a leguminous emergent hydrophyte, Aeschynomene aspera, produced a large amount of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) in yeast extract basal medium. Maximum EPS production was at the stationary phase of growth. EPS production was increased by 919% over control when the medium was supplemented with sucrose (1.5%), D-biotin (1 microgram/ml) and casamino acid (0.1%). EPS contained rhamnose and arabinose. Possible role of the azorhizobial EPS production in the stem nodule symbiosis is discussed.

Indole acetic acid production by a Rhizobium species from root nodules of a leguminous shrub, Cajanus cajan

A Rhizobium sp. isolated from the root nodules of a leguminous pulse-yielding shrub, Cajanus cajan, was found to produce high amounts (99.7 microg/ml) of indole acetic acid (IAA) during growth in basal medium supplemented with L-tryptophan. The Rhizobium sp. was a fast growing species which reached its stationary phase at 28 h. The IAA production could be increased upto 653.3% over control by supplementing the carbon-free incubation medium with glucose (5 g/l), NiCl2 (10 microg/ml) and glutamic acid (0.5 g/l). The possible role of rhizobial IAA on the rhizobia-legume symbiosis is discussed.

Indole acetic acid and its metabolism in root nodules of a monocotyledonous tree Roystonea regia

A monocotyledonous tree, Roystonea regia, was found to bear root nodules. The root nodules contained a high amount (16.9 microg/g fresh mass) of indole acetic acid (IAA). A big tryptophan pool (1555.1 microg/g fresh mass) was found in the root nodules, which might serve as a source of IAA production. The presence of IAA-metabolizing enzymes IAA oxidase and peroxidase indicated metabolism of IAA in the root nodules. The symbiont isolated from the root nodules of R. regia, a Rhizobium sp., produced high amount of IAA in culture when supplemented with tryptophan. The possible role of this IAA production in the monocotyledonous tree-Rhizobium symbiosis is discussed.

Bioproduction of indoleacetic acid by a Rhizobium sp. from the root nodules of Desmodium gangeticum DC

The Rhizobium sp. isolated from the root nodules of Desmodium gangeticum DC. produced a high amount of indole acetic acid (IAA) from tryptophan in culture. For maximum IAA production, the bacteria preferred L-isomer over DL- or D-isomer of tryptophan. The production of IAA could be increased up to 37% over yeast extract ribose medium by supplementing the medium with ZnSO4 (0.1 microgram/ml), asparagine (0.1%) and nicotinic acid (0.1 microgram/ml). The possible relationship between the rhizobial IAA production and legume-rhizobia symbiosis is discussed.

Serine proteinase from rice bean

A trypsin like serine-proteinase of M(r) 16,000 Da, optimally active at pH 8.4 on N-benzoyl-arginine ethyl ester (BAEE) was purified from 4-day old germinated seeds of rice bean, Vigna umbellata (Thunb), by ammonium sulphate precipitation, gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography and by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The purity of the enzyme was checked by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The enzyme activity was studied on natural substrates like casein, haemoglobin and vicilin, a rice bean storage protein. The activity of the enzyme was completely inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, but not by iodoacetamide and HgCl2, suggesting it to be a serine protease. Loss of activity in presence of EDTA was reversed by addition of Ca2+.

Possible mechanism for the inhibition of lectin-erythrocyte interaction in presence of endogenous lectin receptor

The presence of hydrophobic sites in the lectin-I molecule was indicated by hydrophobic probes like 1-anilinonapthalene-8-sulfonic acid (ANS), 2-p-toluidinyl napthalene-6-sulfonic acid (TNS). N-phenyl-1-napthylamine (NA) and rose bengal (RB). This was further confirmed by amino acid modifications in the hydrophobic region of the lectin-I molecule. The binding of ANS, TNS, NA and RB to lectin-I was affected in the presence of NaCl. The involvement of hydrophobic interactions in rice-bean lectin-I-endogenous lectin receptor (ELR) complex were indicated by alterations in the circular dichroism and fluorescence emission spectra. The percentage of beta-conformation (55-63%) of lectin-I was decreased by addition of ELR. ELR on reacting with lectin-I reduced the fluorescence emissions of the hydrophobic probes while fluorescence emission of ANS, TNS, NA and RB were greatly enhanced in presence of lectin-I alone. N-aceyl-galactosamine did not change the fluorescence emissions of any of the hydrophobic probes in presence or in absence of lectin-I. This demonstrates that carbohydrate and hydrophobic sites may be different and non-interacting. It is proposed that the ELR in reacting with lectin-I, induced conformational changes in the lectin-I molecule and thereby affected its erythroagglutinating activity with human blood group "A" erythrocytes.

Parasympatholytic activity of psychoactive drugs in rat brain mitochondria

Chlorpromazine, imipramine and amphetamine at a concentration of 0.66, 1.33 and 13.3 x 10(4) M in vitro inhibited acetyl cholinesterase activity by 16, 23 and 31% respectively in rat brain mitochondria. No change in enzyme activity was induced by these drugs in vivo. There is little cholinergic facilitation through acetylcholinesterase inhibition in the presence of psychoactive drugs.

Purification of a unique glycoprotein that enhances phenol oxidase activity in scorpion (Heterometrus bengalensis) haemolymph

A monomeric glycoprotein (SGP) of Mr 32,000 was isolated to purity from scorpion (Heterometrus bengalensis) haemolymph by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, chromatofocusing and h.p.l.c. The homogeneity of SGP is confirmed by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. SGP is soluble in 100%-satd. (NH4)2SO4 solution. Needle-shaped crystals of SGP were obtained in an aqueous environment. The glycan part of the molecule contains arabinose, which does not commonly occur in animal glycoproteins. Amino acid analysis demonstrated a preponderance of glycine, tyrosine and glutamic acid. SGP enhances phenol oxidase (EC 1.14.18.1) activity.

Enhancement of lectin-erythrocyte agglutination by gums

The erythroagglutinating activity of purified Vicia faba lectin was enhanced in the presence of gums; gum guar caused the highest enhancement. Circular dichroism probe demonstrated 40-57% beta-conformation and 4-23% alpha-conformation of the lectin at pH 7.2 depending upon the analytical methods used. The beta-conformations of untreated and modified V. faba lectins were increased in the presence of gums. The mixing of gum guar with lectin and with modified lectin, respectively, led to the highest values of beta-conformational change in the protein molecule, thereby increasing the number of receptor sites of the lectin molecule. The enhancement of the activity of V. faba lectin in the presence of gum guar might be due to the conformational change of the protein molecule.

Purification of human erythrocytes specific lectins from rice bean, Phaseolus calcaratus syn. Vigna umbellata, by high-performance liquid chromatography

Two lectins, an N-acetylgalactosamine-binding lectin, lectin-I, which reacts specifically with human erythrocytes of blood group A, and a galactose-binding lectin, lectin-II, which is specific for human blood group B erythrocytes, have been isolated and purified from rice bean, Phaseolus calcaratus syn. Vigna umbellata, by a salt solubility pH-dependent method, chromatofocusing and high-performance liquid chromatography. The homogeneity of the lectins was determined by liquid chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified lectin-I of molecular mass 80,000 is possibly composed of two subunits of molecular mass ca. 18,000 and 22,000, respectively, whereas lectin-II of molecular mass 100,000 appears to be composed of a monomeric protein of molecular mass 25,000. One endogenous lectin-binding protein was also isolated and purified by liquid chromatography. The endogenous lectin-binding protein of molecular mass 40,000 affects the activity of the A-group specific lectin more than that of the B-group specific lectin. The endogenous lectin-binding protein appears to be composed of a monomeric protein of molecular mass 20,000.

Circular dichroism and fluorescence investigations on Vicia faba lectin-saccharide binding

Vicia faba lectin contained 40-57% beta-conformation, 4-23% alpha-conformation along with random coil at pH 7.2 depending upon the analytical methods used. The percentage of beta-conformation increased with the addition of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine or methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside. The structural transitions of V. faba lectin were affected by alkali at pH 9.6 and 10.6. Binding constants and free energy changes for the interaction between V. faba lectin and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside were estimated at pH 7.2 using the c.d. and fluorescence methods.

Acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7), a neurotransmitter enzyme in scorpion hemolymph

Acetylcholinesterase (AchE: EC 3.1.1.7) was identified and purified from the hemolymph of the scorpion Heterometrus bengalensis. The purity of the enzyme was determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The molecular weight of the enzyme, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE, was 80,000. The purified AchE hydrolysed acetylthiocholine iodide, but it did not react with butyrylthiocholine iodide. BW284C51, a specific inhibitor of AchE, strongly inhibited the enzyme. The known inhibitor (tetramonoisopropylpyrophosphortetramide) of pseudocholinesterase did not produce any inhibition of the enzyme activity. The purified AchE of scorpion hemolymph was vulnerable to high substrate concentration. The presence of Cu2+ and Ni2+ reduced the enzyme activity, whereas the metal ion, Sn2+, enhanced AchE activity. Ca2+ produced neither inhibition nor activation. (Na+, K+)-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activities were greatly enhanced by the purified AchE.

Isolation and characterization of Vicia faba lectin affinity purified on chitin column

A lectin from early long pod var. of Vicia faba seed has been purified to homogeneity on chitin. The purified lectin is shown to be homogeneous in nature by Bio Gel P - 150 gel filtration, fast protein liquid chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The lectin is a glycoprotein with molecular weight of 51,000. The lectin molecule is possibly composed of two types of subunits devoid of any covalent linking through sulfhydryl groups, with molecular weights 9,000 and 15,000 respectively in the ratio 2:2. The purified lectin shows a high affinity for N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc). Amino acid analyses show that cysteine and methionine are absent, and a high proportion of aspartic acid and glutamic acid are present in the protein molecule. The extinction coefficient of the purified lectin is 7.22. The lectin behaves as a 'cold agglutinin' displaying stronger agglutination than the naturally occurring ABO agglutinin in the cold.

Purification and partial characterization of an erythroagglutinin from the hemolymph of scorpion, Heterometrus bengalensis

An erythroagglutinin from the hemolymph of the scorpion, Heterometrus bengalensis, has been purified by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Its homogeneity has been demonstrated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified agglutinin appears to be a monomeric protein having a possible molecular weight between 146,000 and 148,000. It has no divalent cation requirement for erythroagglutination. The erythroagglutination is not inhibited by saccharides, glycoproteins and mucin. Identical erythroagglutination pattern is obtained with normal as well as neuraminidase treated erythrocytes.

Identification, isolation and some properties of lectin from the seeds of Indian coral tree [Erythrina variegata (Linn.) var. orientalis (Linn.) Merrill]

A D-galactose-binding lectin agglutinating human erythrocytes has been purified from the seeds of the Indian coral tree (Erythrina variegata (Linn.) var. orientalis (Linn.) Merrill] by affinity chromatography on acid-treated Sepharose-6B gel. It has a higher reactivity for O-group erythrocytes. The lectin is a glycoprotein having a leucoagglutinating property.