Isolation and Characterization of a Lectin from Edible Mushroom, Volvariella volvacea

Abstract

A lectin was purified from edible mushroom, Volvariella volvacea by extraction with 5% cold acetic acid in the presence of 0.1% 2-mercaptoethanol, followed by ammonium sulfate fractionation, and DEAE-C-52 and CM-C-52 column chromatographies. The molecular weight was measured to be 26, 000, and the lectin consisted of two non-identical subunits as demonstrated by gel filtration and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
The lectin does not contain half-cystine, methionine, or histidine. The LD₅₀ of the lectin is 17.5mg per kg body weight of mice. The lectin has a moderate inhibitory effect on the growth of tumor cells.