Purification and Characterization of an N-Acetylglucosamine-Binding Lectin from Koelreuteria paniculata Seeds and Its Effect on the Larval Development of Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera:  Bruchidae) and Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera:  Pyralidae)

Abstract

This study describes the purification of an N-acetylglucosamine-binding lectin from Koelreuteria paniculata seeds and its effects on the larval development of Callobruchus maculatus and Anagasta kuehniella. The lectin (KpLec) was characterized and isolated by gel filtration, affinity column, and reverse phase chromatography. SDS-PAGE indicated that this lectin is a dimer composed of subunits of 22 and 44 kDa. The N terminus exhibited 40% similarity with Urtiga dioica agglutinin. KpLec was tested for anti-insect activity against C. maculatus and A. kuehniella. With regard to C. maculatus, an artificial diet containing 0.7 and 1% KpLec produced LD(50) and ED(50) value, respectively. However, for A. kuenhiella, an artificial diet containing 0.65% KpLec produced an LD(50), whereas 0.2% KpLec produced an ED(50). The transformation of genes coding for this lectin could be useful in the development of insect resistance in important agricultural crops.

A hemagglutinin with mitogenic activity from dark red kidney beans

“…Lectins reported from a multitude of organisms comprising animals, plants, bacteria, viruses and fungi have captured the attention of a large number of researchers on account of their exploitable biological activities encompassing mitogenic [1], immunomodulatory [2], antiproliferative [1], antitumor [3], antiinsect [4], antifungal [5], antiviral [6] and anti-HIV-1 reverse transcriptase [1] activities. Lectins are involved in the symbiotic relationship between leguminous plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria [7].…”

Insecticide Activity of Lectins and Secondary Metabolites

“…It is commonly found in flour mills. Popularly known as flour moth, E. kuehniella also feeds on wheat flour, corn meal, seeds, dried fruits, pasta, baked goods, cocoa, and other stored foods (Gallo et al, 2002;Macedo et al, 2003;Tounsi et al, 2005). Its life cycle lasts 3-4 months and comprises egg, larvae, pupa and adult stages.…”

Anti-insect potential of a lectin from the tuber, Dioscorea mangenotiana towards Eldana saccharina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

“…Plant resistance to insect pests is mediated by a range of primary metabolites among which are lectins (Carlini and Grossi-de-Sa, 2002). Lectins constitute a heterogeneous group of carbohydrate-binding proteins that have been shown to affect the survival and development of insect pests belonging to different orders (Macedo and Damico, 2003;Vasconcelos and Oliveira, 2004;Coelho et al, 2007). The defensive role of plant lectins, such as *Corresponding author.…”