Purification, Characterization, and Antiproliferative Activity of a Single‐Chain Lectin from Vicia palaestina (Fabaceae) Seeds

Abstract

Vicia palaestina Boiss. is an annual herb that grows in dry areas of eastern Mediterranean countries. It belongs to section Cracca subgenus Vicilla, which is characterized by having a high content in the non‐protein amino acid canavanine. The seeds from some of these vetches are also rich in lectins. The purification and characterization of a single‐chain lectin from the seeds of V. palaestina is described here. This lectin was the most abundant protein in albumin extracts. It has affinity for the glycoconjugate N‐acetylgalactosamine and inhibits proliferation of the cancerous Caco‐2 and THP‐1 cell lines. In addition to their high nutritional value, the seeds from V. palaestina represent a source of lectins with health promoting and pharmacological potential because of their antiproliferative activity.

Antiproliferative Potential of Olneya tesota PF2 Lectin in Human Acute Monocytic Leukemia Cells

“…[29] Additionally, a lectin from Pinellia ternata inhibited sarcoma cell and HeLa cell proliferation. [30] The IC50 value of PF2 (117.43 � 19.5 μg/mL) in THP-1 cells is comparable to the values reported for the Vicia palaestina lectin (75 μg/ mL), [31] DiL9 lectin (1000 μg/mL), BhL lectin (208 μg/mL) [32] and other plant lectins in several cancer cell lines (Table 1) evaluated. [33] Further studies should address the specificity/ toxicity relationships for potential anticancer drugs.…”