An unusual lectin from stinging nettle (<i>Urtica dioica</i>) rhizomes

Abstract

An unusual lectin has been isolated from stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica L.) rhizomes. It is a small (8.5 kDa) monomeric protein with high contents of glycine, cysteine and tryptophan. The U . dioica agglutinin (UDA) is not blood group‐specific and is specifically inhibited by N ‐acetylglucosamine oligomers. As compared to other plant lectins, UDA has a very low specific agglutination activity. Nevertheless, it induces HulFN‐γ in human lymphocytes at concentrations comparable to those of other inducers.