Open AccessCarbohydrate binding properties of banana ( Musa acuminata ) lectin
Author(s) -
Goldstein Irwin J.,
Winter Harry C.,
Mo Hanqing,
Misaki Akira,
Van Damme Els J. M.,
Peumans Willy J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
european journal of biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1432-1033
pISSN - 0014-2956
DOI - 10.1046/j.1432-1327.2001.02149.x
Subject(s) - lectin , concanavalin a , mannose , mannan binding lectin , biochemistry , carbohydrate , polysaccharide , chemistry , musa acuminata , biology , botany , in vitro
This paper extends our knowledge of the rather bizarre carbohydrate binding poperties of the banana lectin ( Musa acuminata ). Although a glucose/mannose binding protein which recognizes α‐linked gluco ‐and manno ‐pyranosyl groups of polysaccharide chain ends, the banana lectin was shown to bind to internal 3‐ O ‐α‐ d ‐glucopyranosyl units. Now we report that this lectin also binds to the reducing glucosyl groups of β‐1,3‐linked glucosyl oligosaccharides (e.g. laminaribiose oligomers). Additionally, banana lectin also recognizes β1,6‐linked glucosyl end groups (gentiobiosyl groups) as occur in many fungal β1,3/1,6‐linked polysaccharides. This behavior clearly distinguishes the banana lectin from other mannose/glucose binding lectins, such as concanavalin A and the pea, lentil and Calystegia sepium lectins.