Asparagus Pea, Winged Pea

Lotus tetragonolobus lectin is a family of closely related glycoproteins having 2 or 4 subunits of about 28,000D. The isoelectric points differ somewhat but these isolectins probably have similar specificities toward alpha-linked L-fucose containing oligosaccharides. Although many of the binding properties of Lotus lectin are similar to those of Ulex europaeus lectin I, the binding affinities and some specificities for oligosaccharides are markedly different between these fucose-specific lectins. This biotinylated lectin conjugate is prepared from affinity-purified lectin and is optimally labeled with biotin. Essentially free of inactive lectin conjugate and containing no free biotin, this biotinylated lectin provides an ideal intermediate for examining glycoconjugates using the Biotin-Avidin System. First the biotin-labeled lectin is added, followed by an ABC Reagent, Avidin D conjugate, or streptavidin derivative. Another possible application is in the isolation of lymphokines and other products of mitogenic stimulation.