Isolation of a lectin from the pollen grains of Petunia hybrida

A lectin was isolated and partially characterized from the pollen grains of Petunia hybrida. The lectin, isolated by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 and affinity chromatography on Concanavalin A-agarose, was found to have a molecular weight (approximate) of 105 000 D. The lectin agglutinated rat, mouse, sheep and human erythrocytes and required Ca2+ and Mg2+ for haemagglutinating activity. Sugar specificity of the lectin could not be elucidated. Acid phosphatase activity was associated with haemagglutinating activity throughout the purification procedure.