Lectinas estão situadas dentro de um grupo estruturalmente diverso de proteínas que se ligam a carboidratos e glicoconjugados com grande especificidade. Encontradas em diversos organismos, elas são moléculas extremamente úteis na caracterização de sacarídeos, como agentes mediadores de endereçamento de fármacos ou até mesmo como marcadores de superfície celular. A pulchellina é uma glicoproteína heterodimérica ligante de D-Galactose oriunda de sementes de Abrus pulchellus e classificada como proteína inativadora de ribossomo do tipo 2 (“type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein” - type 2 RIP). A cadeia B recombinante da pulchellina (rPBC) foi previamente produzida em E. coli BL21(DE3). Neste presente trabalho, a rPBC é analisada quanto a sua atividade, interação com células de mamíferos “in vitro” e estabilidade estrutural. Os resultados indicam que a rPBC possui seletividade quanto a tipos celulares alvo e é endocitada ativamente, provavelmente compartilhando a via de endocitose descrita para outras RIPs. Além disto, a rPBC foi unida à cadeia catalítica e o heterodímero resultante demonstrou toxicidade similar à da holotoxina nativa, confirmando a atividade da rPBC e atribuindo-lhe papel essencial no mecanismo de intoxicação. Uma segunda parte deste trabalho tratou de outra lectina, extraída de sementes de Camptosema ellipticum. Recentemente, experimentos com extratos aquosos obtidos a partir de sementes de Camptosema ellipticum demonstraram possuir atividade hemaglutinante frente a hemácias humanas. Tal atividade foi atribuída a um dado componente protéico que foi então purificado através de cromatografias de troca iônica e exclusão molecular. A proteína, então chamada camptosemina, demonstrou ocorrer na forma de um tetrâmero e cujo estado de oligomerização pode ser controlado pelo pH do meio. Informações sobre a seqüência primária na porção amino-terminal, obtidas por seqüenciamento de aminoácidos, permitiram o desenho de oligonucleotídeos degenerados para a amplificação e clonagem de seu cDNA. As seqüências dos clones obtidos foram submetidas a diversas rotinas de procura de dados do NCBI. Entre os resultados retornados encontraram-se a concanavalina e a aglutinina de amendoim, dois representantes da chamada família de lectinas de leguminosas. Representantes deste grupo compartilham com a camptosemina o tamanho de seus monômeros e a forma de controle de seus graus de oligomerização. O presente trabalho traz a caracterização preliminar da camptosemina quanto a sua seqüência primária e oligomerização através de técnicas de clonagem e de espectroscopia. Foi possível a clonagem de duas variantes para o cDNA da camptosemina cujas seqüências prevêem um peptídeo sinal N-terminal ausente na proteína madura. As seqüências primárias deduzidas são muito semelhantes entre si e em comparação com outros membros da família de lectinas de leguminosas. A camptosemina se demonstrou extremamente resistente a mudanças de temperatura, exibindo sua dissociação em monômeros somente sob pHs extremamente ácidos ou alcalinos. / Lectins have been placed in a structurally diverse group of proteins that bind carbohydrates and glycoconjugates with high specificity. Found in several organisms, they are extremely useful molecules in the characterization of saccharides, as drug delivery mediators, and even as cellular surface markers. Pulchellin is a D-Galactose-binding heterodimeric glycoprotein from Abrus pulchellus seeds and classified as a type-2 ribosome-inactivating protein (type-2 RIP). The recombinant pulchellin B (rPBC) was previously produced in E. coli BL21 (DE3). In the present work, rPBC is analyzed with respect to its interaction with mammal cells “in vitro” and structural stability. Results show that rPBC has selectivity for targeted cell types and that it is actively endocytosed, probably by the same route described for other RIPs. Furthermore, rPBC was bond to the catalytic chain and the resulting heterodimer has shown toxicity degree very similar to the native holotoxin, confirming rPBC activity and attributing it a essential role in the intoxication mechanism. A second part of this work has dealed with another lectin extracted from the seeds of Camptosema ellipticum. Recently, experiments with water-soluble extracts obtained from the seed of Camptosema ellipticum have shown to have hemagglutinative properties when assayed with human erythrocytes. Such biological activity was attributed to a certain proteic component that was purified by ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatographies. The protein, so called camptosemin, has shown to occur as a tetramer and which oligomerization’s state could be driven by the environmental pH. Primary sequence information from the amino-terminal portion, obtained by aminoacid sequencing, allowed the design of degenerated oligonucleotides for the amplification and cloning of its cDNA. The obtained clones’ sequences were submitted to several NCBI data bank search scripts. Among the retrieved results were found concanavalin and peanut agglutinin, two representatives of the called legume lectins family. Members of this group share with camptosemin their monomer sizes and the way their oligomerization state can be driven. This present work characterizes camptosemin with respect to its sequence and oligomerization using cloning and spectroscopy techniques. It was possible the cloning of two cDNA variants for camptosemin which sequences deduce an N-terminal signal peptide absent in the mature protein. Deduced primary sequences are very similar to each other and to other legume lectin members. Camptosemin has shown being extremely temperature resistant, only dissociating in monomeric subunits under extremely acid or alkaline pHs.

Orientadores: Francisco Carlos Groppo, Maria das Graças Machado Freire / Dissertação (mestrado profissional) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T09:31:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Oliveira_MaraRubeaTinocoRodriguesde_M.pdf: 229602 bytes, checksum: 5369ca1218480e5687d9ee3827b671ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: A medicina natural e complementar, especialmente a fitoterapia, suprem as necessidades em saúde de grande parte da população, particularmente nos países em desenvolvimento. Dentre os fitoterápicos, as lectinas podem ter valia como agentes antiplaca, uma vez que podem estar intimamente relacionadas com a aderência de microrganismos. O objetivo deste estudo foi testar in vitro a capacidade de inibição das lectinas isoladas (TEL - derivada da semente de Talisia esculenta e LABRAMIN - purificada da planta Labramia bojeri), na adesão e crescimento de microrganismos orais (Streptococcus sanguinis, S. mitis, S. oralis, S. mutans, S. sobrinus). A atividade antimicrobiana das duas lectinas foi determinada pelo teste convencional da macrodiluição de caldo, sendo testada as concentrações de 400, 200, 100, 50, 25 µg/mL contra 105 CFU/mL dos microrganismos em estudo. Os tubos foram incubados (10% CO2, 37oC, 18h) e submetidos à leitura de densidade óptica (OD a 600nm). A MBC foi determinada pela adição das amostras de cada tubo em placas de petri contendo agar BHI (10% CO2, 37oC, 18h). Para avaliação de aderência foi feito um ensaio semiquantitativo de aderência em placas de microtitulação de poliestireno, onde foi adicionado 100 µL de saliva clarificada e incubada por 2h a 37°. Após lavagem com PBS, foram adicionadas às placas em triplicata 100 µL de lectinas (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 e 100 µg/mL) e incubados durante 1h. A seguir foi adicionada 100 µL de suspensão bacteriana (106 UFC/mL) e incubado a 37ºC em uma atmosfera de 10% de CO2. A aderência foi revelada e quantificada por tintura com cristal violeta. A absorção do cristal violeta foi determinada por um leitor de placa (575nm). Nem a TEL nem a LABRAMIN foram capazes de inibir ou matar os microorganismos estudados. No teste de inibição de aderência, a LABRAMIN reduziu significativamente a aderência de S. mutans e S. sobrinus, na concentração de 100µg (p< 0,05). A TEL não inibiu a aderência dos estreptococos e ainda favoreceu a aderência do S. mitis. Concluiu-se que embora nenhuma das lectinas estudadas tenham atividade antimicrobiana, a LABRAMIN foi capaz de inibir a aderência de estreptococos cariogênicos / Abstract: Natural and complementary medicine, with special regard to phytotherapy, provide care for health needs of a great part of the world¿s population, particularly in developing countries. Among phytotherapic compounds, lectins could be of value as anti-plaque agents, once they can be closely related to microorganisms¿ adherence. Our study intended to test, in vitro, the capacity of two isolated lectins ¿ TEL (derived from Talisia esculenta seeds) and LABOL (purified from the plant Labramia bojeri ¿ for inhibiting the adherence and growth of oral microorganisms (Streptococcus sanguinis, S. mitis, S. oralis, S. mutans, S. sobrinus). Both lectins¿ antimicrobial activities were determined by a conventional macrodilution broth test. Study¿s microorganisms concentrations were tested for 400, 200, 100, 50, 25 µg/mL against 105 CFU/mL. Tubes were incubated (10% CO2, 37oC, 18h) and submitted to optical density reading (OD at 600nm). MBC was determined by the addition of samples from each tube to petri dishes containing agar BHI (10% CO2, 37oC, 18h). A semiquantitative assay was performed for adherence assessment in polystyren microtiter plates. A hundred microliter (100µL) of clarified saliva were added and incubated for 2h at 37°. Following PBS wash, 100 µL lectins (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 e 100 mg/mL) were added to the triple plates and incubated for 1h. Then, 100 µL of bacterial suspension (106 UFC/mL) were added and incubated at 37ºC in a 10% CO2 atmosphere. Adherence was revealed and quantified by crystal violet staining. A plate reader (575nm) determined crystal violet absorbance. Nor TEL nor LABOL were able to inhibit or kill the studied microorganisms. Regarding adherence inhibition, 100µg concentration of LABOL showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) on S.mutans and S. sobrinus. TEL did not inhibt streptococci adherence; yet, it favored S. mitis adherence. It was concluded that, although none of the studied lectins had presented antimicrobial activity, LABOL was capable of inhibiting cariogenic streptococci adherence. Further studies will be necessary to assess such lectins¿ potential over other microorganisms and over oral biofilm / Mestrado / Mestre em Odontologia em Saúde Coletiva

Lectins and hemagglutinins are carbohydrate binding proteins present in a diversity of organisms including humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. They are usually the abundant storage proteins in leguminous plants. They display a host of biological activities such as antitumor, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, and antibacterial activities. / The biological properties of isolated proteins, including hemagglutinating, antifungal, anti-tumor and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory activities, were examined. Their biochemical and biological properties were compared with other purified proteins. / The seeds contain an abundance of proteins, some of which are storage proteins but may play a role of protection from pathogenic microbes and phytophagous insects. Antifungal peptides/proteins, antiviral proteins, ribosome-inactivating proteins, proteinase inhibitors, chitinases, proteinases, and defensins, are some examples of the myriad of seed proteins. The aforementioned proteins are collectively called plant defense proteins in view of their antipathogenic activities. These antifungal proteins exhibit a wide range of molecular masses and amino acid sequences. / Two lectins with potentially exploitable activities were purified from Capparis spinosa seeds and Hibiscus mutabilis seeds, respectively. A hemagglutinin was isolated from Phaselous vulgaris , cultivar "French bean 35", and detailed apoptotic pathway in breast cancer cells, MCF-7 cells, was investigated. A novel dimeric beta-lactoglobulin-like antifungal protein and an antifungal amidase were purified from Passiflora edilus seeds and Peltophorum pterocarpum, respectively. / Lam, Sze Kwan. / Adviser: Tsi Bun Ng. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 188-204). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

The journey of structural studies on lectins, starting with ConA in the 70s, has crossed many milestones. Lectins, multivalent carbohydrate-binding proteins of non-immune origin, specifically bind diverse sugar structures. They have received considerable attention in recent times on account of the realization of the importance of protein-sugar interactions, especially at the cell surface, in biological recognition. They occur in plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and viruses. Plant lectins constitute about 40% of the lectins of known structure. They can be classified into five structural groups, each characterized by a specific fold. Among them, legume lectins constitute the most extensively investigated group. Basic Winged bean lectin (WBAI) is a glycosylated, homodimeric, legume lectin with Mr 58000. The structure of WBAI complexed with methyl-a-galactose, determined earlier in this laboratory, provided information about the oligomeric state and the carbohydrate specificity of the lectin in terms of lectin-monosaccharide interactions. The present work was initiated to understand the carbohydrate specificity of the lectin, especially at the oligosaccharide level, with special reference to its blood group specificity. The hanging drop method was used for crystallizing WBAI and its complexes. Intensity data were collected on Mar Research imaging plates mounted on Rigaku RU-200 or ULTRAX-18 X-ray generators. The data were processed using DENZO and SCALEPACK of HKL suite of programs. The structure factors from the processed data were calculated using TRUNCATE of CCP4 suite of programs. The molecular replacement program AMoRe was used for structure solution. Structure refinement was carried out using the CNS software package. Model building was done using the molecular graphics program O. INSIGHT II, ALIGN, CONTACT and PROCHECK of CCP4 were used for the analysis and validation of the refined structures. WBAI exhibits differential affinity for different monosaccharide derivatives of galactose. In order to elucidate the structural basis for this differential affinity, the crystal structures of the complexes of basic winged bean lectin with galactose, 2-methoxygalactose, N-acetylgalactosamine and methyl-a-N-acetylgalactosamine have been determined. Lectin-sugar interactions involve four hydrogen bonds and a stacking interaction in all of them. In addition, a N-H O hydrogen bond involving the hydroxyl group substituted at C2 exists in the galactose and 2-methoxygalactose complexes. The additional hydrophobic interaction, involving the methyl group, in the latter leads to the higher affinity of the methyl derivative. In the lectin - N- acetylgalactosamine complex the N-H O hydrogen bond is lost, but a compensatory hydrogen bond involving the oxygen atom of the acetamido group is formed. In addition, the CH3 moiety of the acetamido group is involved in hydrophobic interactions. Consequently, the 2-methyl and the acetamido derivatives of galactose have nearly the same affinity for the lectin. The methyl group, a-linked to the galactose, takes part in additional hydrophobic interactions. Therefore, methyl-a- N-acetylgalactosamine has higher affinity than N-acetylgalactosamine to the lectin. The structures of basic winged bean lectin-sugar complexes provide a framework for examining the relative affinity of galactose and galactosamine for the lectins that bind to them. The complexes also lead to a structural explanation for the blood group specificity of basic winged bean lectin, in terms of its monosaccharide specificity. The Tn-determinant (GalNAc-a-O-Ser/Thr) is a human specific tumor associated carbohydrate antigen. Having epithelial origin, it is expressed in many carcinogenic tumors including breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancers. The crystal structure of WBAI in complex with GalNAc-a-O-Ser (Tn-antigen) has been elucidated, in view of its relevance to diagnosis and prognosis of various human cancers. The Gal moiety occupies the primary binding site and makes interactions similar to those found in other Gal/GalNAc specific legume lectins. The nitrogen and oxygen atoms of the acetamido group of the sugar make two hydrogen bonds with the protein atoms whereas its methyl group is stabilized by hydrophobic interactions. A water bridge formed between the terminal oxygen atoms of the serine residue of the Tn-antigen and the side chain oxygen atom of Asn128 of the lectin increase the affinity of the lectin for Tn-antigen compared to that for GalNAc. A comparison with the available structures reveals that while the interactions of the glyconic part of the antigen are conserved, the mode of stabilization of the serine residue differs and depends on the nature of the protein residues in its vicinity. The structure provides a qualitative explanation for the thermodynamic parameters of the formation of the complex of the lectin with Tn-antigen. Modelling studies indicate the possibility of an additional hydrogen bond with the lectin when the antigen is part of a glycoprotein. WBAI binds A-blood group substance with higher affinity and B-blood group substance with lesser affinity. It does not bind the O substance. The crystal structures of the lectin, complexed with A -reactive and B - reactive di and tri saccharides, have been determined. In addition, the complexes of the lectin with fucosylated A- and B-trisaccharides and with a variant of the A-trisaccharide have been modelled. These structures and models provide valuable insights into the structural basis of blood group specificities. All the four carbohydrate binding loops of the lectin contribute to the primary combining site while the loop of variable length contributes to the secondary binding site. In a significant advance to the current understanding, the interactions at the secondary binding site also contribute substantially, albeit in a subtle manner, to determine the blood group specificity. Compared to the interactions of the B- trisaccharide with the lectin, the third sugar residue of the A -reactive trisaccharide forms an additional hydrogen bond with a lysine residue in the variable loop. In the former, the formation of such a hydrogen bond is prevented by a shift in the orientation of the third sugar resulting from an internal hydrogen bond in it. The formation of this bond is also facilitated by an interaction dependent change in the rotamer conformation of the lysyl residue of the variable loop. Thus, the difference in the interactions at the secondary site is generated by coordinated movements in the ligand as well as the protein. A comparison of the crystal structure and the model of the complex involving the variant of the A-trisaccharide results in the delineation of the relative contributions of the interactions at the primary and the secondary sites in determining blood group specificity. At the disaccharide level, WBAI exhibits higher affinity for á1-3 linked Gal/GalNAc containing oligosaccharides, compared to that of other á linked oligosaccharides. With an objective of understanding the preferential binding of WBAI for á 1-3 linked Gal/GalNAc containing oligosaccharides, crystal structure of the complexes of the lectin with Galá1-4Gal, Galá1-4GalâEt and Galá1-6Gal have been determined. The reducing sugar of the disaccharides with linkages other than á1-3 binds to the lectin through a water bridge whereas the same sugar moiety with á 1-3 linkage makes direct interactions with the loop L4 of the protein. The modelling study on the complex of the lectin with Galá1-2Gal further upholds this observation. Different structures involving WBAI, reported earlier and presented here, were used to investigate the plasticity of the lectin. The front curved â-sheet, which nestles the metal binding region and on which the carbohydrate binding loops are perched, is relatively rigid. On the contrary, the flat back â-sheet, involved in the quaternary association in legume lectins, is flexible. This flexibility is probably necessary to account for the variation in quaternary structure. With the results presented in this thesis, 14 crystal structures of WBAI, in the free form and in complex with different sugars, have been reported, all from this laboratory. It is now, perhaps, appropriate to examine the new information and insights gained from these investigations, on the structure and function of the lectin. Earlier X-ray studies of WBAI contributed substantially in establishing that legume lectins are a family of proteins in which small alterations in essentially the same tertiary structure lead to large alterations in quaternary association. Structural studies on WBAI, particularly those reported here, also contributed to the elucidation of the nuances of carbohydrate recognition by lectins. A comparative study of the available structures also revealed the flexible and rigid regions of the protein. The study of the influence of covalently linked sugars on the structure of Erythrina corallodendron lectin (ECorL), a homolog of WBAI, is the content of appendix of the thesis. The three-dimensional structure of the recombinant form of Erythrina Corallodendron lectin(rECorL) complexed with lactose, has been elucidated by X-ray crystallography. Comparison of this non-glycosylated structure with that of the native glycosylated lectin reveals that the tertiary and quaternary structures are identical in the two forms, with local changes observed at one of the glycosylation sites(Asn17). These changes take place in such a way that hydrogen bonds with the neighbouring protein molecules in rECorL compensate those made by the glycan with the protein in ECorl. contrary to an earlier report, this study demonstrates that the glycan attached to the lectin does not influence the oligomeric state of the lectin. Identical interactions between the lectin and the non-covalently bound lactose in the two forms indicate, in line with earlier reports, that glycosylation does not affect the carbohydrate specificity of the lectin. The present study, the first of its kind involving a glycosylated protein with a well defined glycan and the corresponding deglycosylated form, provides insights into the structural aspects of protein glycosylation.

β2-microglobulin (β2m) exists free of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) receptor in many bodily fluids. The amount of protein present in these fluids has been found to be a useful prognostic marker for various diseases but outside of its practical value not much is known about this form of β2m. In fish, soluble β2m has not been studied at all. Another unknown in fish is the effects that plants lectins might have on naturally carnivorous species in aquaculture. These plant proteins which bind to specific sugar groups found on cells have been shown to have a multitude of gastrointestinal and immune effects in mammals and can be found in the plant products being fed to carnivorous, cultured fish making them possible toxicants. The two studies of this thesis set out to pioneer knowledge on these subjects using rainbow trout as a model. The first investigation inspected the various body fluids of these fish for their free β2m content. Soluble β2m was found to be present in the plasma, the seminal fluid, ovarian fluid, and the mucus of the skin and intestines. This distribution shows that β2m could indeed make a good biomarker, not only for disease but also for pheromone release and alludes to some possible functions of soluble β2m while opening the way for future research on this form of the protein. The second study looked at the effects of lectins on the gut of rainbow trout by treating RTgutGC, an intestinal epithelial cell line derived from trout, with plant lectins from wheat (WGA) and soybean (SBA), among others. This study found WGA to be a potent inducer of morphological and cytotoxic effects in these cells while other lectins and plant factors were not. WGA was also observed to effect the expression of β2m and the α-chain of the MHC I receptor. This work suggests WGA ingested by trout through the wheat in their diet might be causing them harm and should be studied further. It is also interesting that both studies related β2m to the intestines of trout. This could allow soluble β2m to serves as a marker of WGA’s effect or for WGA to aid in the study of free β2m.

Starting with the structure analysis of ConA in the 70s, the crystal structures of hundreds of different lectins and their carbohydrate complexes have been determined. Lectins, multivalent carbohydrate-binding proteins which specifically bind different sugar structures, have received considerable attention in recent times on account of the realization of the importance of protein−sugar interactions, especially at the cell surface, in biological recognition. They occur in plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and viruses. Plant lectins constitute about 40% of the lectins of known structure. They can be classified into five structural groups, each characterized by a specific fold. Among them, legume lectins constitute the most extensively investigated group. Peanut lectin is a legume lectin which has been studied thoroughly in this laboratory. These studies have provided a wealth of structural and functional information. However, some gaps still exist in our understanding of the structure, interactions and multivalency of peanut lectin. The work presented here addresses these gaps. The hanging drop method was used for crystallizing PNA and its complexes. Intensity data were collected on Mar Research imaging plates mounted on Rigaku RU-200 or ULTRAX-18 X-ray generators. The Oxford cryosystem was used when collecting data at low temperature. The data were processed using DENZO and SCALEPACK of HKL suite of programs. The structure factors from the processed data were calculated using TRUCATE of CCP4 suite of programs. The molecular replacement program AMoRe was used for structure solutions. Structure refinements were carried out using the CNS software package and REFMAC of CCP4. Model building was done using the molecular graphics program FRODO. INSIGHT II, ALIGN, CONTACT and PROCHECK of CCP4 were used for the analysis and validation of the refined structure. Dynamic light scattering experiments were carried out using a Dyanpro Molecular Sizing Instrument, and the collected data were analyzed using Dynamic V6 software. Until recently, it has been possible to grow crystals of peanut lectin only when complexed with sugar ligands. It has now been possible to grow them at acidic pH in the presence of oligopeptides corresponding to a loop in the lectin molecule. Crystals have also been prepared in the presence of the peptides as well as lactose. Low pH crystal forms of the lectin−lactose complex similar to those obtained at neutral pH could also been grown. Thus, crystals of peanut lectin grown in different environmental conditions, at two pHs with and without sugars bound to the lectin, are now available. They have been used to explore the plasticity and hydration of the molecule. A detailed comparison among different structures shows that the lectin molecule is sturdy and the effect of changes in pH, ligand-binding and environment on it is small. The region involving the curved front β-sheet and loops around the second hydrophobic core is comparatively rigid. The back β-sheet involved in quaternary association, which exhibits considerable variability, is substantially flexible. So is the sugar-binding region. The numbers of invariant water molecules in the hydration shell are small and they are mainly involved in metal coordination or in stabilizing rare structural features. Small, consistent movements occur in the combining site on sugar-binding, although the site is essentially preformed. Crystal structures of peanut lectin complexed with Galβ1-3Gal, methyl-T-antigen, Galβ1-6GalNAc, Galα1-3Gal and Galα1-6Glc and that of a crystal grown in the presence of Galα1-3Galβ1-4Gal have been determined using data collected at 100 K. Use of water bridges as a strategy for generating carbohydrate specificity was earlier deduced from the complexes of the lectin with lactose (Galβ1-4Glc) and T-antigen (Galβ1- 3GalNAc). This has been confirmed through the analysis of the complexes with Galβ1-3Gal and methyl-T-antigen (Galβ1-3GalNAc-α-OMe). A detailed analysis of lectin−sugar interactions in the complexes shows that they are more extensive when β-anomer is involved in the linkage. As expected, the second sugar residue is ill defined when the linkage is 1-6. There are more than two-dozen water molecules, which occur in the hydration shells of all structures determined at resolutions better than 2.5 Å. Most of them are involved in stabilizing the structure, particularly loops. Water molecules involved in lectin−sugar interactions are also substantially conserved. The lectin molecule is robust and does not appear to be affected by change in temperature. Multivalency is believed to be important in the activity of lectins, although definitive structural studies on it have been few and far between. A study has been carried out on the complexation of tetravalent peanut lectin with a synthetic compound containing two terminal lactose moieties, using a combination of crystallography, dynamic light scattering and modelling. Light scattering indicates the formation of an apparent dimeric species and also larger aggregates of the tetrameric lectin in the presence of the bivalent ligand. The crystals of presumably crosslinked lectin molecules could be obtained. They diffract very poorly, but the X-ray data from them are good enough to define the positions of the lectin molecules. Extensive modelling on possible crosslinking modes of protein molecules by the ligand indicated that systematic crosslinking could lead to crystalline arrays. The studies also provided a rationale for the crosslinking in the observed crystal structure. The results obtained provide further insights into the general problem of multivalency in lectins. They indicate that crosslinking involving multivalent lectins and multivalent carbohydrates is likely to lead to an ensemble of a finite number of distinct periodic arrays rather than a unique array. PNA is among the most thoroughly studied lectins. Its structure demonstrated that open structures without point group symmetry cannot be ruled out for oligomeric proteins. It also contributed to the identification of legume lectins as a family of proteins in which small alterations in essentially the same tertiary structure lead to large changes in the quaternary association. Among other things, studies on PNA−sugar complexes led to the identification of water bridges as a strategy for generating carbohydrate specificity in addition to providing detailed information on PNA−sugar interactions. The work reported here significantly added to the information on this important lectin provided by earlier studies. On the basis of a detailed examination of structures of crystals grown under different environmental conditions, the relatively rigid and flexible regions of the molecule could be delineated. The picture that emerges is that of a robust protein with a substantially preformed combining site. The work also added to the information on the dependence of protein−sugar interactions on the different glycosidic linkages in disaccharides. The investigations reported here also provided further insights into the multivalency of peanut lectin.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Institute of Paper Chemistry, 1982. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 104-108).

β2-microglobulin (β2m) exists free of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) receptor in many bodily fluids. The amount of protein present in these fluids has been found to be a useful prognostic marker for various diseases but outside of its practical value not much is known about this form of β2m. In fish, soluble β2m has not been studied at all. Another unknown in fish is the effects that plants lectins might have on naturally carnivorous species in aquaculture. These plant proteins which bind to specific sugar groups found on cells have been shown to have a multitude of gastrointestinal and immune effects in mammals and can be found in the plant products being fed to carnivorous, cultured fish making them possible toxicants. The two studies of this thesis set out to pioneer knowledge on these subjects using rainbow trout as a model. The first investigation inspected the various body fluids of these fish for their free β2m content. Soluble β2m was found to be present in the plasma, the seminal fluid, ovarian fluid, and the mucus of the skin and intestines. This distribution shows that β2m could indeed make a good biomarker, not only for disease but also for pheromone release and alludes to some possible functions of soluble β2m while opening the way for future research on this form of the protein. The second study looked at the effects of lectins on the gut of rainbow trout by treating RTgutGC, an intestinal epithelial cell line derived from trout, with plant lectins from wheat (WGA) and soybean (SBA), among others. This study found WGA to be a potent inducer of morphological and cytotoxic effects in these cells while other lectins and plant factors were not. WGA was also observed to effect the expression of β2m and the α-chain of the MHC I receptor. This work suggests WGA ingested by trout through the wheat in their diet might be causing them harm and should be studied further. It is also interesting that both studies related β2m to the intestines of trout. This could allow soluble β2m to serves as a marker of WGA’s effect or for WGA to aid in the study of free β2m.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-158). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-158). Also available on the Internet.