Lectina de Phaseolus vulgaris (frijol rojo)

La PHA consta de dos especies moleculares, la eritroaglutinina (PHA-E), que tiene poca actividad mitógena y elevada actividad de eritroaglutinina, y la leoucoaglutinina (PHA-L), que tiene elevada actividad mitógena y leoucoaglutinante, pero muy baja actividad eritroaglutininante
La PHA-E no es específica de grupo sanguíneo, pero la aglutinación puede ser inhibida por ciertos oligosacáridos. La PHA-P es la forma proteica de la PHA antes de la separación y la purificación de la eritroaglutinina y la leoucoaglutinina. La PHA-M es la forma mucoproteínica. Los conjugados se preparan a partir de las correspondientes lectinas purificadas.

Lectin agglutinates cells and precipitates polysaccharides and glycoproteins. It has anti-cancer, anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) and anti-microbial infection properties. Lectin is associated with toxic allergens and hemagglutinins. Lectin inhibits mucosal atrophy, lowers type 2 diabetes and obesity, enhances nutrient absorption and regulates drug targeting.

Agglutination activity is expressed in mg/mL and is determined from serial dilutions of a 1 mg/mL solution. This activity is the lowest concentration to agglutinate a suspension of 2% human erythrocytes in phosphate buffered saline, pH 6.8 after 1 hr incubation at 25 °C. Mitogenic activity is determined by BrdU incorporation.

Mitogenic activity at ≤10 μg per mL.

Lectin from Phaseolus vulgaris (red kidney bean) has been used:

• for phytohemagglutinin (PHA) swelling assay
• for lymphocyte activation assay
• to evaluate cell-mediated immune response

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins, that contains four subunits with a molecular weight of 125 kDa. Leucoagglutinin PHA-L is a plant lectin, which is transported by the neurons in the central nervous system.