Artocarpin-galactomannan interaction: characterization of combining site of artocarpin.

Artocarpin, a lectin purified from Artocarpus lakoocha seeds, precipitates well several galactomannans having terminal D-Gal-alpha-(1-6)-residues. Quantitative precipitin-inhibition studies using various haptens suggest that the -OCH2-group at C-1 and hydroxyl groups at C-4, and partially at C-6, in the alpha-glycoside of D-galactose configuration are necessary for lectin-sugar interaction. The formation of an artocarpin-fenugreek galactomannan complex was dependent on temperature, pH, ionic strength and the number of hydroxy groups of alditols added to the medium.