The sequence of the mouse 14 kDa beta-galactoside-binding lectin and evidence for its synthesis on free cytoplasmic ribosomes.

The partial amino acid sequence of the mouse 14 kDa beta-galactoside-binding lectin has been deduced from cDNA clones corresponding to 86% of the coding sequence and extending to the polyadenylation signal. The deduced amino acid sequence for the murine lectin shows 94% identity with the rat, 89% with human, 86% with bovine and 46% with the chicken 14 kDa lectins. A cDNA probe has been used to analyse genomic DNA and identify a single mRNA of approx. 570 bp in 3T3 fibroblasts, murine erythroleukaemia cells and the murine basement-membrane-secreting Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumour. Analysis of free and bound polyribosomes has shown that the lectin message is translated on free cytoplasmic ribosomes.