Purification and characterization of a novel thermostable mycelial lectin from Aspergillus terricola

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2010 Nov;162(5):1339-49. doi: 10.1007/s12010-009-8906-3. Epub 2010 Jan 27.

Abstract

Lectin has been isolated from mycelia of Aspergillus terricola by single step purification on porcine stomach mucin-Sepharose 4B affinity column. Lectin could be effectively purified with 75% recovery and 4.47-fold increase in specific activity. Lectin migrated as a single band on SDS-PAGE with an apparent molecular mass of 32.5 kDa. Sugar inhibition assay revealed that the lectin did not strongly interact with most carbohydrates and their derivatives tested while strong binding affinity to D-glucose, D-sucrose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, asialofetuin, porcine stomach mucin, and bovine submaxillary mucin was indicated. Neuraminidase and protease treatment to erythrocytes enhanced lectin titre. Lectin activity was stable within the pH range of 7.0-10.5. A. terricola lectin displayed remarkable thermostability and remained unaffected upon incubation at 70 degrees C for 2.5 h. Lectin did not require metal ions for its activity. Incubation with denaturants (urea, thiourea, and guanidine-HCl) substantially reduced lectin activity. Carbohydrate analysis revealed that it is a glycoprotein with 9.76% total sugars.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aspergillus / chemistry*
  • Aspergillus / drug effects
  • Cattle
  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • Edetic Acid / pharmacology
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Erythrocytes / drug effects
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Hemagglutination / drug effects
  • Hemagglutination Tests
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / drug effects
  • Lectins / isolation & purification*
  • Lectins / metabolism
  • Mycelium / chemistry*
  • Mycelium / drug effects
  • Protein Denaturation / drug effects
  • Protein Stability / drug effects
  • Sus scrofa
  • Temperature*

Substances

  • Lectins
  • Edetic Acid