2003 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages 44-49
Homogenate of matured roe of the female loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) was absorbed with the stromas of A and O red cells. A lectin could be obtained after centrifugation to remove the stromas. This crude lectin was further purified by column chromatography on DEAF-cellulose (DE-52). Agglutination was carried out by centrifugation after reaction with 5% washed RBC and 22% polymerized bovine albumin.
This crude or partially purified lectin reacted with B and AB red cells but not A, O or acquired B red cells. The subgroups (B3, Bm, A1B3, A2B3, A1Bm A1Bx) of red cells could not react. This lectin was therefore defined as B-specific lectin.
Agglutinating activity was inhibited by monosaccharides such as L-rhamnose and L-mannose more effective than by D-galactose, D-fucose, L-arabinose and L-lyxose. Other monosaccharides failed to inhibit agglutination. Oligosaccharides possessing a galactose residue as a terminus such as trisaccharide (raffinose) and tetrasaccharide (stachyose) also inhibited agglutinatin.
This B-specific lectin may be suitable for application to ABO blood typing by a manual or automatic mechanical procedure like A1 or H lectin.
