Isolation and characterization of a lectin from garden cress (Lepidium sativuum)

A lectin has been isolated from extracts of garden cress (Lepidium sativum) by affinity chromatography on human immunoglobulin-Sepharose. The lectin reacts with human erythrocytes without specificity for the A, B and 0 blood group. Erythrocytes of animal origin are also agglutinated by the lectin. The hemagglutinating activity is abolished by heating the lectin solution at 70 degrees C or by dialysis against strong acid buffers. The hemagglutination reaction is not inhibited by monosaccharides. Lectin-glycoprotein interactions are described and discussed.