Erythrina cristagalli Lectin (ECA, ECL) (FITC)

Erythrina cristagalli lectin is a 54,000D glycoprotein consisting of two different subunits of approximately 28,000 and 26,000D. It has a specificity toward galactose residues and appears to have the highest binding activity toward galactosyl (b -1,4) N-acetylglucosamine., This lectin has been reported to be useful for the isolation of human natural killer (NK) cells using a negative selection panning technique. Human NK cells appear to lack accessible surface carbohydrate structures required for binding ECL and, unlike other mononuclear cells, do not adhere to ECL-coated culture dishes. Since this procedure involves a negative selection panning technique, a high recovery of viable NK cells can be obtained. The adherent cells can also be recovered by incubation in galactose or lactose. The carbohydrate structure to which ECL binds is frequently found in membrane and serum glycoproteins of mammalian origin. Sialic acid substitution on this structure appears to prevent the lectin from binding. This specificity offers an opportunity to utilize agarose bound ECL to isolate or fractionate mammalian glycoproteins. ECL has also been reported to be mitogenic to human peripheral T lymphocytes but is not mitogenic toward human peripheral B lymphocytes, mouse splenocytes or mouse thymocytes. Fluorescein labeled Erythrina Cristagalli Lectin is produced by using the highest quality fluorescein isothiocyanate, our affinity-purified lectin, and special conjugation procedures. Fluorescein labeled Erythrina Cristagalli Lectin has an appropriate number of fluorochromes bound which provide the maximum fluorescence and optimum staining characteristics for this particular lectin. This lectin is supplied essentially free of unconjugated fluorochromes and inactive lectin. Recommended Dilutions: Lectin Binding Assay: 5-20ug/ml, Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher. F/P (molar): 2.3, Maximum Excitation: 495-500nm, Maximum Emission 514-521nm, Storage and Stability: Store in the dark at 4°C. Do not freeze. If a precipitate forms upon long-term storage, warm to 37°C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.