2005 年 22 巻 p. 31-38
In the course of survey on biologically active substances in traditional plant foods, we have noted that tubers of arrowhead, Sagittaria trifolia L. var sinensis, contain unique lectins, particularly, specific to α-xylose residues, in addition to α-galactose- and α-mannose residues. Fresh tubers of arrowhead, grown in Suita region, were homogenized in PBS at cold. After separation of starch, the lectin-containing protein fraction was successively fractionated by using affinity columns, each lectin being further purified by gel filtration. The molecular properties and binding specificities of these lectins were characterized; α-xylose-specific lectin, first found in plant kingdoms, is a glycoprotein with molecular mass 5×104, consisting of two subunits, 26 kDa. It binds to terminal α-xylose residue of xyloglucans. Possiblly, it may also recognize terminal β-xylose residue. α-galactose-specific lectin is also glycoprotein, molecular mass 5.2×104, with two subunits, 26 kDa. This lectin binds to terminal α-galactose residues of galactomannans, also with human blood B substance. α-Mannose-specific lectin, is a dimeric protein with subunit of 26 kDa. It recognized terminal α-mannose of yeast mannans and glycoconjugates, In addition, it also recognizes terminal α-d-arabinofuranose residues.