The lectin of the bark of European spindle (Euonymus europaeus L.): purification, physico-chemical characteristics and application in histochemical studies

O R Vrubel,V O Antonyuk,E A Sogomonian

doi:10.7124/bc.000a1c

Abstract

The lectin of the bark of European spindle (Euonymus europaeus L.): purification, physico-chemical characteristics and application in histochemical studies

Highlights

Lectins are a complex and heterogeneous group of non-enzymatically carbohydratebinding proteins that recognize and bind reversibly to specific mono- and oligosaccharides on cell surfaces, the extracellular matrix, and secreted glycoproteins
Applying a complex of biochemical, molecular, and cell-biological approaches, it has been shown [1] that this lectin is representative of a new, eighth family of plant lectins not related to previously known ones
It was found that the center of binding of carbohydrates in the Euonymus europaeus lectin has a considerable length and is complementary to the carbohydrate of the following structure: L-Fucα1

Summary

Introduction

Lectins are a complex and heterogeneous group of non-enzymatically carbohydratebinding proteins that recognize and bind reversibly to specific mono- and oligosaccharides on cell surfaces, the extracellular matrix, and secreted glycoproteins. Lectins bind carbohydrates and have the ability to agglutinate cells and precipitate polysaccharides and glycoconjugates. Vegetable lectins have been known as early as the late nineteenth century. They were classified according to their carbohydrate specificity. By the beginning of the 21st century, seven families of plant lectins had already been isolated, but lectins from E. europaeus L. seeds were not among them. Applying a complex of biochemical, molecular, and cell-biological approaches, it has been shown [1] that this lectin is representative of a new, eighth family of plant lectins not related to previously known ones. It was found that the center of binding of carbohydrates in the Euonymus europaeus lectin has a considerable length and is complementary to the carbohydrate of the following structure: L-Fucα

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