The Primary Structures of Two Types of the Ulex europeus Seed Lectin1

Abstract

The complete amino acid sequences of the Ulex europeus anti-H(O) lectins I and II were determined by using a protein sequencer. After digestion with endoproteinases Lys-C and Asp-N of the lectins reduced with 2-mercaptoethanol and modified with iodoacetamide, the resulting peptides were purified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and subjected to sequence analysis. The complete primary structures of these two Ulex lectins I and II were compared with those of nine lectins already determined, including that of Lotus tetragonolobus anti-H(O) lectin which we have determined. Extensive homologies were found among them.