Investigations on the occurrence of lectins in marine sponges with special regard to some species of the family axinellidae

Abstract

1. 1. Thirty-two species of eighteen families of sponges were screnned for their content of lectins. Twenty-one produced agglutinins reacting with human and animal red blood cells. Hemagglutiation inhibition tests were carried out with six species of different families to look for possible purification procedures. 2. 2. All species available of the family Axinellidae were compared by Ouchterlony tests, as well as by immuno- and disc electrophoresis. Axinella polypoides and Axinella dissimilis showed close structural relationships, whereas Axinella flustra had only restricted immunological similarities. The other three species displayed no actions with anti- Axinella polypoides antisera. 3. 3. Within the family Axinellidae lectins were detected only in Axinella polypoides and Axinella dissimilis. They were purified and their carbohydrate specificities studied, which are directed against dGal moieties in terminal non-reducing position. dGal β linked is of higher inhibitory potency than g linked dGal residues. A major difference between the lectins of both species is seen in inhibition studies with d GalN Ac , which is 250 times more active against Axinella dissimilis than Axinella polypoides.