Artocarpus integrifolia Lectin (AIA) - Semi-Pure

Artocarpus integrifolia Lectin (AIA) is purified by fractionation and is tetrameric two-chain structure consisting of four identical protomers with an isoelectric point of pH 7.8. The lectin has specificity for blood group types O (+SA) and T. Jacalin is considered a galactose-specific lectin and elutes with galactose or melibiose. A post-translational proteolytic modification of Jacalin gives the lectin a novel carbohydrate-binding site involving the N terminus of the α-chain. The carbohydrate-binding specificity of AIA to the Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF-Galß1-3GalNAc) gives it antitumor potential, as this antigen is expressed in more than 85% of human carcinomas. Jacalin has shown antiproliferative effects on colonal epithelial cells when administered to carcinogen-exposed mice, suggesting potential in colorectal cancer. Potential pathways of anticancer effect include COX-2 inhibition by Jacalin and apoptotic/necrotic cell death induced by high levels of TNF-α from Jacalin-induc