Affinity of a galactose-specific legume lectin from Dolichos lablab to adenine revealed by X-ray cystallography.

Crystal structure analysis of a galactose-specific lectin from a leguminous food crop Dolichos lablab (Indian lablab beans) has been carried out to obtain insights into its quaternary association and lectin-carbohydrate interactions. The analysis led to the identification of adenine binding sites at the dimeric interfaces of the heterotetrameric lectin. Structural details of similar adenine binding were reported in only one legume lectin, Dolichos biflorus, before this study.

Affinity purification, physicochemical and immunological characterization of a galactose-specific lectin from the seeds of Dolichos lablab (Indian lablab beans).

A galactose-specific lectin has earlier been isolated from the seeds of Dolichos lablab in our laboratory by conventional protein purification methods. We now established conditions to bind the lectin on Sepharose-galactose gel in the presence of 1.5 M ammonium sulfate in Tris-buffered saline, pH 7.