Triticum vulgaris lectin or Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) is isolated from Triticum vulgaris (Wheat germ) and purified by affinity chromatography. The lectin has two subunits and a molecular weight of 36 kDa. WGA selectively binds to N-Acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc) and to N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid) residues of glycoproteins and glycolipids.
The WGA lectin agglutinates erythrocytes and most types of malignant cells. It agglutinates rabbit erythrocytes at < 0.1 µg/ml following trypsin treatment of the cells. Adding 300 mM N-Acetyle-D-Glucosamine gives an inhibition with a titer that is at least 8-fold lower than the control.
Wheat germ agglutinin inhibits the C5a receptor interaction, which has implications in studies of receptor micro-heterogeneity and ligand binding sites.
WGA together with Con A is the lectin most widely used as an analytical and preparative agent when studying glycoproteins and cell surface proteins. The immobilized lectin can be used for affinity chromatography of cells and sub-cellular particles.
Aladdin’s WGA is supplied as a white to pale yellow lyophilized powder from a buffer containing 10 mM CH₃COONH₄. No preservatives are added. The purity of WGA is determined by SDS- electrophoresis which generates three bands, corresponding to the three isolectins of WGA. Protein content is verified in spectrophotmetry.
| Specifications | Triticum vulgaris lectin (WGA) |
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| Appearance | White to pale-yellow lyophilized powder or flocculate | | Source | Wheat germ | | Molecular weight | 36 kDa | | Sugar specificity | GlcNAc | | Activity | Agglutinates erythrocytes and most types of malignant cells. | | Microorganisms | ≤ 100 CFU/g | | Shelf life | ≥ Three years when stored at -20°C |
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Benefits
• Ultrapure quality
• Sugar specificity: N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acid residues
• Agglutinates erythrocytes and most types of malignant cells
• Agglutinates rabbit erythrocytes at ≤0.1 µg/ml after treating the cells with trypsin
• Not blood group specific
Application:
• Studies of glycoproteins and glycolipids
• Purification of membrane proteins
• Affinity chromatography of cells and sub-cellular particles
Directions for use
The lectin may be reconstituted with 2 ml of deionized water before use, spin the vial gently until full dissolution. The solution may be reconstituted in this buffer to desired working concentration. Storage at pH 8.6–8.8 causes precipitation.
Tips and hints
Avoid repeated freezing and thawing.
Shipping and storage
The product is shipped at -20°C however for over-the-day transport it may be shipped at ambient temperature. The lyophilized powder is stable for more than three years from
production date when stored below -20°C. After reconstitution with deionized water, the solution may be stored frozen in working aliquots for up to 12 months.
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