Jacalin is a lectin composed of four subunits, two of approximately 10,000D and two of 16,000D each. This 50,000D glycoprotein appears to bind only O-glycosidically linked oligosaccharides, preferring the structure galactosyl (b-1,3) N-acetylgalactosamine. This structure (the so-called "T-antigen") is the oligosaccharide to which peanut agglutinin binds. However, unlike PNA, Jacalin will bind this structure even in a mono- or disialylated form. This lectin has been used to purify human IgA, since no other human immunoglobulin class binds Jacalin. The specificity of this lectin also affords the opportunity to localize or isolate glycoproteins with O-glycosidically linked oligosaccharide side chains. This biotinylated lectin conjugate is prepared from affinity-purified lectin and is optimally labeled with biotin. Essentially free of inactive lectin conjugate and containing no free biotin, this biotinylated lectin provides an ideal intermediate for examining glycoconjugates using the Biotin-Avidin System. First the biotin-labeled lectin is added, followed by an ABC Reagent, Avidin D conjugate, or streptavidin derivative. Another possible application is in the isolation of lymphokines and other products of mitogenic stimulation. Jacalin is a lectin present in the seeds of the Jackfruit, Artocarpus integrifolia. Recent papers 1,2 reported that Jacalin specifically bound human secretory IgA and that this lectin could be used to sepa- rate human IgA from other serum glycoproteins, including other immunoglobulin classes, and that agarose bound Jacalin could be used to separate IgA1 and IgA2. Preliminary investigation shows it to have a molecular weight of approximately 60,000 with a rather complex subunit structure. In addition to confirming its affinity toward galactose, we have examined the specificity of this lectin toward several glycoproteins. Using glycoproteins of known carbohydrate structure, we can now provide some information on the structural requirements of the oligosaccharide for binding Jacalin. Fetuin, a glycoprotein present in fetal bovine serum, would bind to Jacalin covalently attached to agarose. Fetuin, however, contains two types of oligosaccharides, those linked N-glycosidically to asparagine and those attached by O-glycosidic linkage to serine or threonine. Another glycoprotein, which contains an N-glycosidically linked oligosaccharide similar to fetuin is alpha1 acid glycoprotein. However, neither native alpha1 acid glycoprotein nor the desialylated form bound to Jacalin. This indicated that Jacalin does not bind galactosyl (B 1-3,4) N-acetylglucosamine, the terminating sequence in the oligosaccharide of alpha1 acid glycoprotein. The O-glycosidically linked oligosaccharide in fetuin consists of galactose (B 1-3) N-acetylgalacto-samine, with sialic acid substitutions on the 3 position of galactose and the 6 position of N-acetylgalactosamine. To determine if sialic acid was required for binding we tested asialofetuin. The desialylated form of fetuin bound equally well, showing that binding was not dependent on the presence of the sialic acid residues. Removal of galactose from the N-acetylgalactosamine residue of fetuin reduced but did not abolish the ability to bind to Jacalin, indicating the N-acetylgalactosamine is an important part of the carbohydrate structure required for binding. Studies are underway to further characterize these structural requirements.

Small volumes of Artocarpus integrifolia lectin vial(s) may occasionally become entrapped in the seal of the product vial during shipment and storage. If necessary, briefly centrifuge the vial on a tabletop centrifuge to dislodge any liquid in the container`s cap. Certain products may require to ship with dry ice and additional dry ice fee may apply.

MBS656754 is a lectin targeting Artocarpus integrifolia. Also known as Artocarpus integrifolia (Jacalin, Jackfruit) (Biotin).