Isolation, partial purification, and characterization of lectins from the roots of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp

A lectin was isolated from the roots of 7-day old Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. seedlings using size-exclusion chromatography. The root lectin revealed two subunits in SDS-PAGE [sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis] and migrated as a single protein in a pH gradient isoelectro-focusing gel electrophoresis as well as in native gel electrophoresis. The root lectin exhibited no specificity to any of the erythrocytes tested. In addition, the agglutinating activity of the root lectin was markedly increased by enzymes. The hemeagglutinating activity of the root lectin was inhibited by the sugars N-acetyl-galactosamine and methyl-a-D-glucopyranoside