Merck, L0401-1MG, Lectin from Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato)

General description
Lectins are carbohydrate binding proteins. Lectin from Lycopersicon esculentum (LEA) binds strongly to polylactosamine oligosaccharides. It is the major component of endothelial and epithelial cell surface carbohydrate.
Application
Lectin from Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) has been used:
for immunofluorescence staining
for the quantification of vascular perfusion
for the evaluation of gel perfusion efficiency

Biochem/physiol Actions
Lectin has anti-cancer, anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV), anti-microbial infection and blocks mucosal atrophy. It reduces type 2 diabetes and obesity, stimulates nutrient absorption and drug targeting. It is used to stain the vascular tree in the spinal cord and brain of animals. Lectin agglutinates cells and precipitates polysaccharides and glycoproteins.
LEA is not blood group specific, but has an affinity for N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine oligomers. The lectin is a glycoprotein containing approx. equal amounts of protein and carbohydrate and is reported to inhibit the mitogenic activity of phytohemagglutinin from Phaseolus vulgaris. This lectin binds endothelial cells and is used to visualize the microvasculature.
Packaging
Sold on the basis of mg active conjugate.
Physical form
Solution in 10 mM HEPES, 0.15 M NaCl, pH 7.5, containing 0.1 mM Ca2+, 0.08% sodium azide and 5 mg/mL β-cyclodextrin.
Analysis Note
Agglutination activity is expressed in μg/ml and is determined from serial dilutions in phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.3, of a 1 mg/ml solution. This activity is the lowest concentration to agglutinate a 2% suspension of human erythrocytes after 1 hour incubation at 25 °C.