Bauhinia purpurea Lectin (BPL/BPA) - TRITC (Rhodamine)

Product Description

Bauhinia purpurea agglutinin or lectin (BPA/BPL) is a tetrameric lectin with a molecular weight of 195,000. Binding appears to be highest for glycoconjugates containing galactosyl (β-1,3)N-acetylgalactosamine structures but oligosaccharides with a terminal α-linked N-acetylgalactosamine can also bind. BPA is lactose-specific and elutes with the sugar lactose. It has specificity for blood groups A, B, O (-SA). Treatment of erythrocytes with neuraminidase or trypsin will increase the agglutination reaction, indicating that the receptor is masked by terminal carbohydrates.

Although binding specificity is similar to that of peanut agglutinin, tissue staining patterns of these two lectins are distinct. Makela's group 2 sugars, particularly N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, are potent inhibitors. The native protein appears to be stable in detergent solution.

Bauhinia purpurea Lectin (BPL/BPA) is labeled with tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC) and has an appropriate number of fluorochromes bound to provide the optimum staining characteristics for this lectin. TRITC is a bright orange or red-fluorescent dye with excitation ideally suited to the 532-nm laser line. TRITC labeled BPL/BPA can be used for cellular imaging applications.