Concanavalin A

Chemical Properties

Lyophilized

Uses

Concanavalin A is a plant lectin that is a T-cell mitogen, and induces apoptosis in human fibroblasts.

Uses

Concanavalin A is a unique lectin purified from the jack bean, C. ensiformis, that selectively cross-links cell-surface glycoproteins and affects the initiation of cell agglutination, mitogenesis, and apoptosis. Concanavalin A specifically binds to α-mannose and α-galactose structures found in sugars, glycoproteins, and glycolipids and has been used in affinity chromatography purifications of various glycoproteins and cellular structures. At 20 mg/kg concanavalin A is also used to induce liver injury in experimental mouse models of autoimmune hepatitis in order to study immune regulation by macrophages and T cells. Concanavalin A is toxic to several tumor cell lines and has been reported to induce programmed cell death of cortical neurons by a mechanism similar to that of the amyloid β peptide.

Uses

As a reagent in analytical and preparative biochemistry; as a probe in studies of cell surface membrane dynamics and cell division.

Definition

A lectin mitogen that binds specifically to and agglutinates transforms into tumors. It binds to glucose and mannose residues in the surface.

General Description

Concanavalin A is a protein containing only β-sheets in its structure, and belongs to the legume lectins family.

Hazard

Poison; teratogen; mutagen.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Concanavalin A is known to stimulate acute hepatic inflammation and acts as a T‐cell mitogen. It has inhibitory effect on hepatocellular carcinoma by inducing autophagy.

storage

-20°C