Characterization of a Human Saliva Antigen Precipitated by a Lectin from Lotus tetragonolobus

Abstract

Ouchterlony precipitin tests give visual evidence that extracts from Lotus tetragonolobus contain two different lectins. In addition to the H antigen, Lotus identifies another antigen, called the L antigen, which is not the A, B, Le^a, Sd^a, I or SC(1) saliva antigen and has been found in variable strength in secretor and nonsecretor saliva of individuals of all ABO blood groups. The L antigen is part of a cathode migrating glycoprotein. Sugar inhibition studies reveal that the terminal sugars are the same as for the H and Le^a antigens, the presumable difference being that L-fucose is attached to a different site. The L antigen is absent in the saliva and red cells of the Bombay type, but red cells of all other individuals absorb both lectins from Lotus extract.

Identification of a new quaternary association for legume lectins

“…In addition, due to its particular biological property of recognizing L-fucosyl oligosaccharides present in glycoprotein and glycolipid receptors on cells, LTA has been used as a tool in various biochemical studies: (i) in the characterization of antigens and insect cells (Thomas and Surolia, 2000;Napier et al, 1974;Butters and Hughes, 1978) (ii) in examinations of surface saccharide composition in different cells (Mayliepfenninger and Jamieson, 1979;Gurd, 1979) and mainly (iii) in lectin histochemistry of malignant cells for the purpose of investigating anomalous membrane oligosaccharides and differentiating carcinomas (Raedler et al, 1983;Koch et al, 1983;Miettinen et al, 1983;Walker, 1984;Ulrich et al, 1985;Davidsson et al, 1987;Griffiths and Stephenson, 1988;Raju and Lee, 1988;Finne et al, 1989;Imura et al, 2004;Turner et al, 1995).…”