Homogeneous enzyme-linked binding assay for studying the interaction of lectins with carbohydrates and glycoproteins

A simple and rapid homogeneous enzyme-linked binding assay method for studying lectin-carbohydrate interactions is described. The method is based on the homogeneous inhibition of appropriate enzyme-saccharide conjugates by specific carbohydrate-binding lectins. In the presence of carbohydrate structures recognized by the lectins, enzyme activity is regained in an amount of proportional to the concentration of carbohydrate. The new method can be used to rapidly assess the relative carbohydrate specificity of the various lectins and for the selective analytical detection of simple saccharides and complex glycoproteins. Indeed, when Jacalin lectin is used in conjunction with a malate dehydrogenase-galactose conjugate, selective measurement of human IgA (immunoglobulin A) at microgram per milliliter levels in less than 10 min is possible. The potential for using this analytical methodology for determining changes in the carbohydrate structure of intact recombinant glycoproteins is also discussed.