Vicia Unijuga Research Articles

Combining microbiome and pseudotargeted metabolomics revealed the alleviative mechanism of Cupriavidus sp. WS2 on the cadmium toxicity in Vicia unijuga A.Br.

Cadmium (Cd) pollution is one of the most severe toxic metals pollution in grassland. Vicia unijuga (V. unijuga) A.Br. planted nearby the grassland farming are facing the risk of high Cd contamination. Here, we investigated the beneficial effects of a highly Cd tolerant rhizosphere bacterium, Cupriavidus sp. WS2, on Cd contaminated V. unijuga. Through plot experiments, we set up four groups of treatments: the control group (without WS2 or Cd), the Cd group (with only Cd addition), the WS2 group (with only WS2 addition), and the WS2/Cd group (with WS2 and Cd addition), and analyzed the changes in physiological indicators, rhizosphere microorganisms, and stem and leaf metabolites of V. unijuga. Results of physiological indicators indicated that Cupriavidus sp. WS2 had strong absorption and accumulation capacity of Cd, exogenous addition of strain WS2 remarkably decreased the Cd concentrations, and increased the plant heights, the biomass, the total protein concentrations, the chlorophyll contents and the photosynthetic rate in stems and leaves of V. unijuga under Cd stress. Cd treatment increased the abundance of Cd tolerant bacterial genera in rhizosphere microbiome, but these genera were down-regulated in the WS2/Cd group. Pseudotargeted metabolomic results showed that six common differential metabolites associated with antioxidant stress were increased after co-culture with WS2. In addition, WS2 activated the antioxidant system including glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT), reduced the contents of oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in V. unijuga under Cd stress. Taken together, this study revealed that Cupriavidus sp.WS2 alleviated the toxicity of V. unijuga under Cd exposure by activating the antioxidant system, increasing the antioxidant metabolites, and reducing the oxidative stress markers.

Identification of Vicia Species Native to South Korea Using Molecular and Morphological Characteristics.

Recently, within the Fabaceae family, the Vicia genus has been recognized for its vital role in sustainable agriculture. Vicia species are economically important grain and forage crops. However, the presence of complex morphological characteristics makes identification and recognition of native species difficult. In this study, the possibility of using DNA barcoding regions (ITS2, matK, and rbcL) to distinguish among 19 Vicia taxa (59 accessions) found in South Korea was evaluated. The sequence alignment analysis revealed considerable nucleotide diversity (π) between the loci, in which ITS2 showed the highest mean interspecific distance, whereas there was no intraspecific variability among the barcode regions in 12 of the 19 taxa. Phylogenetic analysis of combined barcoding regions revealed well-resolved phylogeny with the highest species level discrimination. Combinations of barcode loci were also used in classification at the subgenera and section levels. The results revealed that the combined barcoding regions can be used effectively to differentiate the following species: Vicia angustifolia var. segetilis, Vicia bungei, Vicia villosa, Vicia cracca, Vicia dasycarpa, Vicia hirsuta, Vicia tetrasperma, Vicia amurensis, Vicia hirticalycina, and Vicia chosenensis. However, it is difficult to differentiate the species of Vicia unijuga, Vicia unijuga var. kaussanensis, Vicia linearifolia, Vicia unijuga f. angustifolia, Vicia nipponica, Vicia amoena, Vicia venosa var. cuspidata, Vicia pseudo-orobus, and Vicia japonica with the tested barcode regions. These species come under sect. Vicilla and are found to be closely related or species that have recently undergone speciation; thus, it has limitation to distinguish with recommended barcodes. Hence, to differentiate the unclassified species, 39 morphological characteristics were investigated, in which 16 useful characteristics were selected for efficient classification. Finally, the 16 selected morphological useful traits efficiently differentiated all the Vicia species. In conclusion, a combination of barcoding loci together with morphological characteristics of this study efficiently discriminated all the Korean Vicia species.

Plastic film mulching improves seed germination, seedling development and potential for perenniality of Vicia unijuga under subalpine climate conditions

Our aim was to identify temperature and moisture modifications needed for improvement of seed germination, growth and establishment of the protein-rich forage legume Vicia unijuga A.Br. so that it could become large enough and store sufficient root reserves to survive in subalpine conditions. Germination tolerance of scarified V. unijuga seeds to various temperatures and water potentials was tested in the laboratory, and a 3-year field experiment was conducted in the subalpine region of China to evaluate the effects of modified soil temperature and moisture conditions generated by mulching with plastic film and barley straw on seedling emergence, growth, root nutrient reserves and subsequent overwinter performance. The highest germination percentage and rate occurred at the optimum temperature of 15–20°C, which improved these germination traits at low water potentials between –0.6 and –1.0 MPa. Higher soil temperature and water content were recorded in the plastic mulch treatment than in the control and straw mulch treatments. This enhanced establishment and accumulation of biomass and root reserve pools in the plastic mulch treatment, with nearly 100% of the plants surviving overwinter. The relative contribution of soil temperature was greater than of soil-water content to the variation in biomass and root nutrient reserves. Root starch content explained the most variation in overwinter survival. In conclusion, scarified V. unijuga seeds can germinate over a wide range of conditions, including those in the subalpine zone in spring. The plastic mulch treatment provided adequate soil temperature and water resources to improve growth and root starch reserves in first-year plants of V. unijuga, thereby improving overwinter survival in the subalpine environment.

Novel Data on the Taxonomic Diversity, Distribution, and Host Plants of Leafmining Moths of the Family Gracillariidae (Lepidoptera) in Siberia, Based on DNA Barcoding

The Gracillariidae fauna of Siberia, the region that occupies almost half of the territory of the Russian Federation, remains poorly studied. During a DNA barcoding study of Gracillariidae in Siberia, based on analysis of larvae and pupae collected from their leaf mines on woody plants, we identified 41 species. Three gracillariids were identified only to genus: Caloptilia sp. (host plant Prunus padus), Parornix sp. (Malus sp.), and Phyllonorycter sp. (Crataegus sp.), representing poorly studied or undescribed species. Six species are reported here for the first time for Siberia: Callisto insperatella (from Novosibirsk and Tomsk provinces), Caloptilia alnivorella (Buryatia), Phyllonorycter ermani (Irkutsk Province), Ph. lantanella (Novosibirsk Province), Ph. pumilae (Omsk and Irkutsk provinces), and Ph. viciae (Krasnoyarsk Territory). Parornix pfaffenzelleri, found in Khakassia, is reported as a species new to Russia. Other 15 gracillariid species previously known from Siberia were recorded in new administrative regions. The invasive lime leafminer Phyllonorycter issikii was first documented in Tomsk Province and Krasnoyarsk Territory in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Seven new gracillariid-host plant associations were found: Parectopa ononidis on Lupinaster pentaphyllus, Sauterina hofmanniella on Lathyrus gmelinii, Caloptilia stigmatella on Salix kochiana, Callisto insperatella on Prunus virginiana, Parornix scoticella on Amelanchier sp., Phyllonorycter ermani on Alnus alnobetula subsp. fruticosa, and Phyllonorycter viciae on Vicia unijuga. The Gracillariidae fauna of Siberia has 51% similarity with that of European Russia and only 38% similarity with that of the Russian Far East.

Plastic-film mulch improves Vicia unijuga seed yield and yield components under subalpine climate conditions

ABSTRACT Perennial vetch (Vicia unijuga A. Br.) is a valuable protein-rich forage crop to develop grassland animal husbandry in subalpine regions of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Unsatisfied seed yield (SY) is often a setback constrained by the cold and erratic precipitation environments. Techniques based on mulching (e.g. plastic-film and straw) efficiently improve SY of crops, but little is known about SY response of V. unijuga to mulching. A 3-year field experiment was conducted in a subalpine region of China to evaluate the effects of three mulching treatments – plastic-film mulching (FM), removal of plastic-film mulching at the 30% flowering stage (RM) and barley straw mulching (SM) – on SY and yield components of V. unijuga. Higher soil temperature and water contents were recorded in the FM treatment than in Control and other treatments. The greatest SY was achieved in the FM treatment, with a mean SY of 72.3 g m-2 for the 3 years. Among the yield components, inflorescences m-2 had the highest direct impact on SY, and explained 42.0% of the variation in SY. In conclusion, in subalpine regions, the FM treatment is an effective mulching method for enhancing SY of V. unijuga, and the response arises primarily through increasing initial inflorescence density. Abbreviations FI: florets per inflorescence; IS: inflorescences per square meter; LAI: leaf area index; OF: ovules per floret; PI: pods per inflorescence; SB: shoot biomass; SP: seeds per pod; ST: soil temperature; SWC: soil water content; SY: seed yield; PSY: potential seed yield; TSW: thousand seed weight; Control: non-mulched control; FM: plastic-film mulch for the entire season; RM: plastic-film mulch cover until 30% flowering; SM: naked barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.) straw mulch for the entire season; FFS: full flowering stage; IFS: initial flowering stage; MS: maturity stage; PFS: pod-filling stage

Contributions of soil temperature and moisture drivers to variations in perennial vetch (Vicia unijuga) productivity potential in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau region of China

AbstractIn alpine regions of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China, perennial vetch (Vicia unijuga A. Br.) productivity is often low and variable, constrained by the cold and erratic precipitation environment. The aim of the current study was to identify the soil-environmental modifications needed in harsh alpine environmental conditions for improvement of perennial vetch growth, forage biomass production and seed yield. A 3-year field experiment was conducted in an alpine region of China to evaluate the effects of modified soil temperature and moisture conditions generated by three mulching treatments – plastic film mulching (FM), removal of plastic film mulching at the 30% flowering stage and barley straw mulching – on perennial vetch productivity. Higher mean soil temperature and soil water content were recorded in the FM treatment than in the control and other treatments. This enhanced perennial vetch growth, as indicated by higher photosynthetic rate, higher leaf area index and greater above-ground dry matter, and thus higher seed yield and water productivity. Examination by multiple linear regression showed the relative contribution of mean soil temperature to the variations in photosynthetic rate, above-ground dry matter and seed yield were greater than soil water content, whereas the reverse occurred in seeds/pod. In conclusion, the FM treatment provided adequate soil temperature and water resources to improve photosynthetic rate, above-ground dry matter, seed yield and water productivity, and thus increased the productivity potential for perennial vetch in the alpine region. The current research provides scientific support for large-scale perennial vetch cultivation and management in alpine regions.

Mulching Affects Seed Set, Provisioning, and Offspring Performance of Vicia unijuga (Fabaceae)

Core Ideas Seed set of V. unijuga plants can be maximized by mulching in subalpine conditions. Plastic mulching increased seed provisioning, thus improving V. unijuga seed quality. Increased seed provisioning (mass) of V. unijuga improved germination success. Large seeds/seedlings have higher competitive ability relative to small seeds. ABSTRACTOur aim was to identify the soil and environmental modifications needed to improve seed set and seed quality of the perennial forage legume perennial vetch (Vicia unijuga A. Br.) in harsh subalpine conditions. A 3‐yr field experiment was conducted in a subalpine zone of China to evaluate the effects of modified soil temperature and moisture conditions generated by no mulching (control), plastic film mulching (FM), removal of plastic film mulching at the 30% flowering stage (RM), and threshed barley straw mulching (SM) on seed set, mass, reserves, germination, and seedling growth. The FM and SM treatments were efficient in increasing seed maturation and decreasing ovule abortion at the base of the pods. There were higher 100‐seed weight (HSW) and seed nutrient reserves in the FM and RM treatments, accompanied by higher final germination percentage (FGP) and lower time to 50% germination (T50) and greater initial seedling growth than in the control, whereas the reverse was true for the SM treatment. Modified soil temperature and moisture generated by mulching improved offspring performance traits of V. unijuga through an increase in HSW. The HSW was positively correlated with FGP and seedling growth traits and was negatively associated with T50. In conclusion, the FM treatment provided adequate soil temperature and water resources to maximize seed set by V. unijuga plants. The well‐provisioned seeds from this treatment conferred the advantages of good offspring performance on high germination and seedling growth traits.

ПОЛИМОРФИЗМ НЕКОТОРЫХ ВИДОВ ТРИБЫ VICIEAE BRONN (FABACEAE LINDL.) ПОДАННЫММОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО И МОЛЕКУЛЯРНО- ГЕНЕТИЧЕСКОГО АНАЛИЗОВ

Morphological, karyological and molecular genetic analyses of the accessions of Vicia unijuga A. Br. s. 1 (V. unijuga A. Br., V. ohwiana Hosok.) from the tribe Vicieae Bronn. have been performed. Samples were collected during expeditions in the Russian Far East, Siberia and China. The results of factor and discriminant analysis revealed as important morphological characters for the classification of inter- and intraspecific diversity: peduncle length, leaf length, stipule shape, bean length, and the number of internodes on the main stem. The cytotypes 2n = 12, 2n = 24 at V. unijuga and V. ohwiana Hosok. were found to occur almost over the entire territory of their areas of distribution. 2n = 12 is not species-specific characteristics for V. ohwiana. The ITS, SSR and ISSR marker analyses revealed a significant taxonomic proximity of V. unijuga and V. ohwiana with the species V. baicalensis (Turcz.) B. Fedtsch., V. ramuliflora (Maxim.) Ohwi and V. venosa (Willd. ex Link) Maksim. The complex species V. unijuga s. 1 is a genetically heterogeneous group. Some populations localized on the islands and the coast of the Sea of Japan need to be classified into independent taxa of a higher rank.

Fruit set in perennial vetch (Vicia unijuga): reproductive system and insect role in pollination

AbstractPerennial vetch (Vicia unijuga) is a wild plant found in parts of East Asia and potentially valuable as a forage species for more extreme environments. Information on its reproductive system and pollination biology is needed for progress in domestication of the species. We characterized the reproductive system of perennial vetch as facultative xenogamy (i.e. it is largely cross‐pollinated by insects but is also self‐compatible and can self‐pollinate). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the fruit set ratio between insect cross‐pollination and artificial cross‐pollination at the seed maturation stage, but natural self‐pollination was inefficient. In our study conducted on the Tibetan plateau, eight insect species (especially certain bumble bees) are identified as potential pollinators, and four other insect species belonging to the Lepidoptera and Diptera visited flowers but are unlikely to be pollinators. The flower visitation rate of wild bumble bees was 1.6–3.3 times higher than domestic honeybees, with Bombus lepidus having the highest visitation rate of 15.7 florets/min. The diurnal floret opening rhythm of perennial vetch was synchronized with diurnal activity of potential pollinators. Optimal pollination of perennial vetch would likely be achieved using wild bees, as they have behaviour characteristics and flower tripping ability necessary, and are present in sufficient numbers to be efficient pollinators of this crop. However, even with sufficiency of pollination, there remains a fundamental problem with low fruit set which requires further investigation from a plant biology perspective.

Climate warming alters nitrogen dynamics and total non-structural carbohydrate accumulations of perennial herbs of distinctive functional groups during the plant senescence in autumn in an alpine meadow of the Tibetan Plateau, China

Although photoperiod is known to be the main factor driving plant senescence in perennial plants, temperature has also been shown to modulate this process, which suggests that climate warming will significantly impact the length of plant growing season and affect terrestrial productivity. To test this assumption, we measured the effects of simulated autumn warming on four perennial herbaceous species, i.e. Elymus nutans, Koeleria macrantha, Vicia unijuga and Allium atrosanguineum, representing two major plant functional groups (grasses and forbs), in a typical alpine meadow of the Tibetan Plateau. Warming was simulated using open-top chambers, and its effects on degradation of chlorophyll and nitrogen (N) concentration in leaves and stems were determined during the senescence processes in autumn. The potential effects of autumn warming on total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) in roots, growth and flowering phenology were further investigated in the following year. We found that warming delayed chlorophyll degradation of perennial herbs in early phase but accelerated it in later phase, regardless of functional groups, which led to higher N concentrations in leaves and stems during the whole senescence period. Autumn warming also significantly increased TNC in roots as a result of the delayed process of chlorophyll degradation, although the magnitudes were dependent on functional groups, which may be explained by inherent differences in growth patterns and phenology between grasses and forbs. We demonstrate that warming can increase carbohydrate accumulation not only by enhancing activities of photosynthetic enzymes proved by many previous studies but by altering chlorophyll degradation and preferential allocation of resources to different compartments. Furthermore, these results suggest that the net effect of climate warming on terrestrial ecosystems will be determined by floristic composition, as contrasting immediate and lasting (one year) changes in nutrient use and carbon allocation in response to warming were observed among species.

Septoriella viciae . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Septoriella viciae , a colonizer of leaves, causing leaf spot or yellowish leaf blight. Some information on its dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Russia) and hosts ( Vicia unijuga ).

Polymorphism in a histone H1 subtype with a short N-terminal domain in three legume species (Fabaceae, Fabaeae).

A number of alleles of an orthologous gene His6 encoding histone H1 subtype f (H1-6 in pea) accumulated in chromatin of old tissues were sequenced in three legume species: seven alleles in Pisum sativum, four in Vicia unijuga and eight in Lathyrus gmelinii. In the total of 19 alleles sequenced in the three species, 29 non-synonymous substitutions and six indels were found in the coding region; most of amino acid substitutions (26 of 29) and all indels occurred in the C-terminal hydrophilic domain of the encoded protein. All species were polymorphic for some non-synonymous substitutions, V. unijuga was also polymorphic for one and P. sativum for two indels. Three near-isogenic lines of P. sativum bearing different alleles showed differences in many quantitative traits; that in the growth dynamic could be tentatively attributed to the allelic substitution of subtype H1-6. The frequencies of four electromorphs in a sampled locality of V. unijuga were found to be close to those observed 25 years ago, although their rapid change in the past was supposed in the previous study.

New strain of Vicia unijuga mosaic virus revealed in the Amur oblast

A mosaic disease caused by a virus with isometric particles with a diameter of 28–30 nm has been revealed on a wild vetch species Vicia unijuga in the Amur oblast. The thermal inactivation point (TIP) of the pathogen is 73°C, longevity in vitro (LIV) is up to 3 days, and dilution endpoint (DEP) is 10−5. Virions contain one capsid protein with molecular mass 19 kD. The antigenic relationship between the isolate and brome mosaic virus and earlier identified V. unijuga mosaic virus, a representative of the genus Bromovirus, is determined. The pathogen has been identified as a new strain of this bromovirus. The virus is easily transmitted to cultivated legumes, causing considerable damage.

Effects of thinning on plant species diversity and composition of understory herbs in a larch plantation

The effects of thinning on plant species diversity and composition of understory herbs in a larch plantation were investigated. The relationships between plant species diversity and composition of understory herbs and light conditions were established. Twenty-five 1 m × 1 m plots and fifteen 13 m × 1 m transects were set up in unthinned and thinned stands, respectively. All the transects in the thinned stands were set across the thinned rows and unthinned rows, and each of them was divided into nine 1 m × 1 m sub-plots. The herb diversity and light conditions were observed in each plot and sub-plot. The results show that there was a significant difference in herb diversity between the thinned and unthinned stands. All biodiversity indices except for evenness index in the thinned stand were higher than those of the unthinned stand, i.e., the herb diversity increased after thinning. According to the changes in herb densities and whether one species could be found in a stand or not before and after thinning, all herb species were classed into three types: positive, neutral and negative species, which referred to a species newly appeared and having an obviously increased density after thinning, with no obvious changes in its appearance and density after thinning, and disappeared and having an obviously decreased density after thinning, respectively. Many new species were found in the thinned stand like Corydalis pallida, Prenanthes tatarinowii, Vicia unijuga and Sonchus brachyotus etc. However, most species found in both the thinned and unthinned stands were negative species. In all nine subplots, only 11 and 10 species were found in spring and in autumn respectively, accounting for 17.74% and 15.15% of all the species in the thinned stand, respectively. All biodiversity indices were the highest in the center sub-plots and most of them tended to reduce from middle to side sub-plots. There was a close correlation between most of the three types of species and light conditions which was similar to each other in the thinned and unthinned stands.

Presence of Vicia graminea lectin- and Vicia unijuga lectin-binding (Vgu) glycoproteins in human fetal membranes and some of their biochemical properties

We have previously reported that Vicia graminea lectin (VGA)- and Vicia unijuga lectin (VUA)-binding glycoproteins (Vgu glycoproteins), malignant tumor-associated antigens, exist in human meconium and amniotic fluid. To examine the origin of Vgu glycoprotein, their presence, some of their chemical and serological properties and their biosynthesis in the human fetal membrane, amnion and chorion laeve and accompanying membrane cells were examined. Perchloric acid-soluble fractions were prepared from human amnion and chorion laeve, after which VUA-binding components (Vgu glycoproteins) were separated by HPLC and affinity chromatography using immobilized VUA. Biosynthesis of the antigens in primary cultured cells prepared from the amnion and chorion laeve were examined by pulse-labeling and immunoprecipitation using immobilized VUA and compared with those in cultured human cancer cells. The results indicated that the serological properties of VUA-binding components in fetal membranes were similar to those of meconium and amniotic fluid, that many molecular species of VUA-binding components were synthesized in amnion and chorion laeve cells and that about 40–50% of antigens synthesized are secreted from cells while antigens synthesized in cultured cancer cells human were hardly secreted with more than 95% of the antigens remaining in the cells. From these results, we concluded that a large part of Vgu glycoproteins found in amniotic fluid is synthesized in cells of the amnion and chorion laeve and secreted into the fluid, and that Vgu glycoproteins synthesized in cancer cells were not secreted, rather they were retained in the cells.

Presence of vicia graminea lectin- and vicia unijuga lectin-binding (Vgu) glycoprotein in human amniotic fluid and some of its chemical and serological properties

Vicia graminea- and Vicia unijuga-binding glycoprotein (Vgu glycoprotein) has been reported as a malignant tumor-associated antigen, which is found in various kinds of malignant tumor-tissues and ascitic and cyst fluids of malignant tumor patients, but not found in 20 kinds of normal human tissues. The glycoprotein reacts with anti-N lectins of Vicia graminea (VGA) and Vicia unijuga (VUA), but does not react with anti-blood group M and N sera. The existence of Vgu glycoprotein in human amniotic fluid is reported here. A perchloric acid-soluble glycoprotein fraction (PASF) was prepared from human amniotic fluid (AF-PASF). Sialoglycoprotein was then separated from AF-PASF by consecutive gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300, HPLC on Asahipak GS-710 and affinity chromatography in VUA-conjugated formyl-cellulofine columns. The sialoglycoprotein with 9.6% (w/w) carbohydrate content showed a molecular mass of 2940 kDa estimated by HPLC gel filtration. The sialoglycoprotein showed reactivity with VGA and VUA, but did not react with anti-M and -N sera. In addition, the sialoglycoprotein reacted with lectins of Ulex europeus, Arachis hypogaea, Maclura pomifera, Canavalia ensiformis, Ricinus communis, Phaseolus vulgaris, Sambucus nigra and Sophora japonica. These results show that Vgu glycoprotein exists in human amniotic fluid, and that Vgu glycoprotein obtained from human amniotic fluid has a similar serological property to Vgu glycoproteins found in malignant tumor-tissues, but its chemical property is significantly different from that of malignant-tumor associated Vgu glycoproteins.

Presence of Vicia graminea lectin- or Vicia unijuga lectin-binding (Vgu) glycoproteins, Vgu glycoproteins with Thomsen-Friedenreich (T) activity and T-active glycoproteins in human meconium

Perchloric acid-soluble fraction prepared from a mixture of meconiums of 22 newborn babies was subjected to a systematic affinity chromatography using Vicia unijuga lectin-Cellulofine column and Arachis hypogaea lectin-Agarose column and separated into four fractions, Vgu glycoprotein, Vgu glycoprotein with T activity, T-active glycoprotein and another glycoprotein fractions. HPLC analysis showed that the first fraction contained three glycoproteins with molecular weight (M w) of about 19,400 kDa, 5500 kDa and 1900 kDa, the second fraction consisted of two glycoproteins with M w of about 460 kDa and 150 kDa and the third fraction composed of several glycoproteins including the main glycoprotein with M 2 of about 11,700 kDa.

Serological property of perchloric acid-soluble glycoprotein fractions of human meconium

Perchloric acid-soluble fractions (PASFs) were separated, in yields of 87.0-151.9 mg per 1.0 g of wet meconium sample, from six samples of human meconium, and identified as glycoproteins having 41.2-74.1% carbohydrate by chemical composition analysis. Six PASFs reacted with anti-A, -B, -Lea and -Leb sera, but did not react with anti-M and -N sera. These PASFs alos reacted with many lectins such as DBA, UEA-I, Vicia graminea lectin (VGA), Vicia unijuga lectin (VUA), Con A, WGA, RCA-I, PHA-E, SBA, SJA, and influenza A and B viruses. The serological results show that six PASFs contained VGA or VUA-binding (Vgu) glycoproteins as new oncofetal substances, but did not contain M and N blood group substances.

Vicia graminea lectin or Vicia unijuga lectin-binding (Vgu) glycoproteins as new tumor-associated substances

The purification and serological and chemical properties of Vicia graminea lectin (VGA) and Vicia unijuga lectin (VUA) were described, and then the binding-specificity of anti-M and -N antibodies and both the lectins was discussed in this review. On the basis of the facts that Vgu glycoproteins which react with either VGA or VUA but not with anti-M and -N antibodies and were not detected in human normal organ tissues and sera, were separated and identified as mucin-type glycoproteins with very high molecular weights from human cancerous organ tissues, ascitic fluids of cancer patients and cyst fluids of human ovarian cystadenoma in malignant, it was concluded that Vgu glycoproteins are new tumor-associated substances.

Presence of a Vicia unijuga lectin-binding (vgu) glycoprotein with thomsen-friedenreich (t) activity and vgu glycoproteins in human primary hepatocellular carcinoma

1. 1. Twenty perchloric acid-soluble glycoprotein fractions (PASFs) were separated from carcinomatous and non-carcinomatous regions of the livers of 5 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 5 patients with a complication of HCC and hepatocirrhosis (HC). 2. 2. In autoradiography using 125,I-labelled Vicia unijuga lectin (VUA) and 125I-labelled Arachis hypogaea anti-T lectin as probes, 10 PASFs from carcinomatous regions of the livers of 10 patients gave 1 Vgu glycoprotein with T activity and/or 1–4 Vgu glycoproteins, respectively, and among 10 PASFs from non-carcinomatous regions of the livers of 10 patients, 7 PASFs gave no glycoproteins, respectively. li ]3. These results show that a Vgu glycoprotein with T activity and Vgu glycoproteins occur in HCC and in a complication of HCC and HC as oncofetal antigens.