Staining tumor cells with biotinylated ACL-I, a lectin isolated from the marine sponge, Axinella corrugata

Abstract

Axinella corrugata lectin 1 (ACL-1) was purified from aqueous extracts of the marine sponge, Axinella corrugata. ACL-1 strongly agglutinates native rabbit erythrocytes. The hemagglutination is inhibited by N-acetyl derivatives, particularly N, N', N"-triacetylchitotriose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-D-mannosamine and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. We investigated the capacity of biotinylated ACL-1 to stain several transformed cell lines including breast (T-47D, MCF7), colon (HT-29), lung (H460), ovary (OVCAR-3) and bladder (T24). ACL-I may bind to both monosaccharides and oligosaccharides of tumor cells, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, and N-acetyl-D- glucosamine glycan types. The lectins are useful, not only as markers and diagnostic parameters, but also for tissue mapping in suspicious neoplasms. In addition, they provide a better understanding of neoplasms at the cytological and molecular levels. Furthermore, the use of potential metastatic markers such as lectins is crucial for developing successful tools for therapy against cancer. We observed that biotinylated ACL-I stains tumor cells and may hold potential as a probe for identifying transformed cells and for studying glycan structures synthesized by such cells.

Marine lectins and their medicinal applications

“…The lectin can be used as a marker diagnostic and also tissue mapping tool in suspicious neoplasms. As biotinylated ACL-I could stain the tumor cells, it might be used to identify transformed cells and study the glycan structures synthesized by such cells (Dresch et al 2013). One characteristic of malignant cells is related to abnormal cell surface protein glycosylation.…”

Marine Sponge Lectins: Actual Status on Properties and Biological Activities

“…In addition to mitogenic activity, ACL-1 can also be used as a tool for mapping tissue suspected of neoplasia. The results found by Dresch showed that this lectin complexed with biotin is able to recognize breast (T-47D, MCF7), colon (HT-29), lung (H460), ovarian (OVCAR-3) and bladder cancer cells (T24) by binding GalNAc and GlcNAc to the surface of these cells [31].…”

Ulva pertusa lectin 1 delivery through adenovirus vector affects multiple signaling pathways in cancer cells

“…Sea worm Serpula vermicularis GlcNAc binding lectin was determined to be effective in inhibiting HIV-1 infection [20]. Marine sponge Axinella corrugate-1 is a GlcNAc binding lectin showing chemotactic effect on rat neutrophil [21], and was utilized in staining various cancer cells [22]. Abnormal GlcNAc glycosylation has been identified as a cancer maker [23], and utilized in bladder cancer targeting drug delivery [24] and cancer cell staining [22].…”

“…Marine sponge Axinella corrugate-1 is a GlcNAc binding lectin showing chemotactic effect on rat neutrophil [21], and was utilized in staining various cancer cells [22]. Abnormal GlcNAc glycosylation has been identified as a cancer maker [23], and utilized in bladder cancer targeting drug delivery [24] and cancer cell staining [22]. A GlcNAc specific lectin purified from the fruiting body of the Australian indigenous mushroom Psathyrella asperospora inhibited HT29 cancer cells proliferation through inducing cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase [25].…”