Product description

Triticum vulgaris lectin or Weat germ agglutinin (WGA) is isolated from Triticum vulgaris (Weat germ) and purified by affinity chromatography. The lectin has two subunits and a molecular weight of 36 kDa. WGA selectively binds to N-Acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc) and to N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid) residues of glycoproteins and glycolipids (1).

The WGA lectin agglutinates erythrocytes and most types of malignant cells. It agglutinates rabbit erythrocytes at < 0.1 µg/ml following trypsin treatment of the cells. Adding 300 mM N-Acetyle-D-Glucosamine gives an inhibition with a titer that is at least 8-fold lower than the control.

Wheat germ agglutinin inhibits the C5a receptor interaction, which has implications in studies of receptor micro-heterogeneity and ligand binding sites (1).

WGA together with Con A is the lectin most widely used as an analytical and preparative agent when studying glycoproteins and cell surface proteins. The immobilized lectin can be used for affinity chromatography of cells and sub-cellular particles.

Medicago’s WGA is supplied as a white to pale yellow lyophilized powder from a buffer containing 10 mM CH₃COONH₄. No preservatives are added. The purity of WGA is determined by SDS- electrophoresis which generates three bands, corresponding to the three isolectins of WGA. Protein content is verified in spectrophotmetry The lectin is available in vials containing 100 mg, 25 mg or 10 mg powder and the product is to be used for laboratory work only.

Features 

• Ultrapure quality
• Sugar specificity: N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acid residues
• Agglutinates erythrocytes and most types of malignant cells
• Agglutinates rabbit erythrocytes at ≤0.1 µg/ml after treating the cells with trypsin
• Not blood group specific 

 Directions for use

The lectin may be reconstituted with 2 ml of deionized water before use. Spin the vial gently until full dissolution. Aggregation is thought to occur in the presence of high concentrations of 2-mercaptoethanol.

Shipping and storage

The product is shipped at -20°C however for over-the-day transport it may be shipped at ambient temperature. The lyophilized powder is stable for more than three years from production date when stored below -20°C. After reconstitution with deionized water, the solution may be stored frozen in working aliquots for up to 12 months.

If you cannot find the answer to your problem then please contact us or telephone +44 (0)1954 210 200

References

(1) Johnson R. J., Simpson S., Van Epps D. E., Chenoweth D. E. (1992) Wheat germ agglutinin inhibits the C5a receptor interaction: implications for receptor microheterogeneity and ligand binding site. Journal of Leukocyte Biology Vol 52, Issue 1, 3–10.

If you cannot find the answer to your problem then please contact us or telephone +44 (0)1954 210 200

Specifications

Appearance: White to pale yellow lyophilized powder or flocculate

Source: Weat germ

Molecular weight: 36 kDa

Sugar specificity: GlcNAc

Activity: N-Acetyle-D-Glucose amine at a concentration of of 100mM gives a hemaglutination/inhibition with a titer which is at least 8 times more dilute than the control. The control must have a titer of at least 32. Agglutinates erythrocytes and most types of malignant cells more readily than corresponding cells from normal tissues. Less than 4 μg/ml will agglutinate human type 0 erythrocytes.

Microorganisms: < 100 CFU/g

Protein content: > 85 %, OD₂₈₀nm (ε 1.6 = 1 mg/mL)

Identity: SDS-PAGE, three bands – the three isolectins

Shelf life: > Three years when stored at -20°

If you cannot find the answer to your problem then please contact us or telephone +44 (0)1954 210 200

Applications

• Studies of glycoproteins and glycolipids
• Purification of membrane proteins
• Affinity chromatography of cells and sub-cellular particles
• Agglutination studies

If you cannot find the answer to your problem then please contact us or telephone +44 (0)1954 210 200