Effects of lectins with various carbohydrate binding specificities on lipid metabolism in isolated rat and hamster adipocytes.

1. Mannose-binding and N-acetylglucosamine binding lectins exhibited potent antilipolytic and lipogenic activities. 2. Fucose-binding lectins had minimal lipogenic activity but possessed antilipolytic activity. 3. Most galactose-binding and N-acetylgalactosamine-binding lectins were devoid of significant antilipolytic and lipogenic activities. Notable exceptions were lectins from Momordica charantia, Wisteria floribunda, Vicia villosa, Codium fragile and the Siberian pine tree. lipogenic activity but lacked antilipolytic activity. 5. The galactose-binding horse gram and osage orange lectins exerted antilipolytic activity in hamster but not in rat adipocytes.