Cerianthin lectins: a new group of agglutinins from Cerianthus membranaceus (Singapore).

Cerianthus membranaceus (Singapore) is a marine metazoon that belongs as a hexacorallion to the group of cnidaria. The saline extracts from the tentacles reveal high titers of agglutination potency on neuraminidase-treated O-erythrocytes. With the help of affinity chromatography, more than 7 proteins with lectin activity which could all be inhibited by D-galactose were isolated. The lectins were separated on DEAE-sepharose, and the main component was purified after an additional step of gel filtration on Bio-Gel P 60. This main component is a non-glycosylated protein with a molecular weight of 38,400 ds consisting of a single protein chain and characterized by the lack of polymers and intermonomeric disulfide bonds. By electrofocusing, the pure main lectin shows two bands at pH 4.17 and pH 4.24. Optimal inhibition of the pure lectin is achieved by D-galactose containing oligo- and polysaccharides.