Abstract
Divalent cation-dependent lectin (CDL) and divalent cation-independent lectin (CIL) were detected in the hemolymph of kuruma prawn, Penaeus japonicus. The CDL agglutinated calf, horse, swine, sheep and rabbit red blood cells (RBC), while CIL agglutinated sheep and rabbit RBC alone. When Ca2+was replaced with Mg2+, agglutination of calf, horse, sheep and rabbit RBC was observed, but that of swine RBC was not. The CDL activity against swine and sheep RBC was lost at 60 and 80°C, respectivery, while that against calf, horse and rabbit RBC was lost at 70°C. The CIL activity against sheep and rabbit RBC was lost at 60 and 70°C, respectivery. Both CDL and CIL activities were stable in the pH range of 5 to 11. The activity of CDL for horse RBC and that of CIL for sheep RBC were stable even at pH 3. Treatment of kuruma prawn serum with sodium metaperiodate, 2-mercaptoethanol or urea inhibited both CDL and CIL activities. The activity of CDLand CIL was inhibited byN-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine andN-acetylneuraminic acid except the activity of CDL against swine RBC. The CDL activity against swine RBC was inhibited by D-ribose. Both CDL and CIL activities were also inhibited by glycoproteins such as mucin type I, mucin type II, and fetuin. Crossabsorption tests suggested that various lectins are present in the hemolymph.
