Inhibition of Sea Urchin Fertilization by Plant Lectins

Title: Inhibition of Sea Urchin Fertilization by Plant Lectins

Volume: 14 Issue: 9

Author(s): N. M.R. Macedo, L. V. Costa-Lotufo, C. Pessoa, M. O. Moraes, L. R. Bonfim and M. V. Ramos

Affiliation:

Keywords: Cell-protein interaction, FITC-labeled lectins, glycoconjugates

Abstract: Effects of plant lectins on sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) fertilization and a partial characterization of lectin-binding involved in the process were evaluated. IC50 doses for inhibition of fertilization varied from 4.1 to 135.5 μg/ml when the lectins were pre-incubated with sperms and from 0.7 to 33.4 μg/ml when pre-incubated with eggs. Such effects were reversed when the lectins were heat inactivated. FITC-labeled lectins bound egg surfaces while their denatured forms did not. Glucose/mannose specific lectins bound weaker to eggs when pre-incubated with the glycoprotein bovine lactotransferrin. None of the glycoproteins assayed diminished FITC patterns of the Gal/GalNAc binding lectins. Pre-incubation of Glucose/mannose binding lectins with eggs did not alter binding of Gal/GalNAc lectins. Lectins with distinct competencies for binding monosaccharide and glycoconjugates were able to inhibit sea urchin fertilization.

Cite this article as:

Macedo M.R. N., Costa-Lotufo V. L., Pessoa C., Moraes O. M., Bonfim R. L. and Ramos V. M., Inhibition of Sea Urchin Fertilization by Plant Lectins, Protein & Peptide Letters 2007; 14 (9) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986607782110356