A Lectin Isolate from Mucus of Helix Aspersa

-l, A lectin fraction has been isolated from mucus produced by the snail Helix aspersa by affinity chromatography of mucus protein on Sephadex G-100. The lectin is eluted with D-glucose. It agglutinates rabbit red blood cells but not human type A and is inhibited by o-GalNAc and to a lesser extent o-GlcNAc and D-Gal. 2. The anti-A agglutinin of the Helix albumin gland was isolated by the same method and comparison of the two lectins by alkaline and acidic gel electrophoresis and by isoelectric focusing shows they are different. No cross-reactivity was apparent between the lectins to antiserum to the anti-A albumin lectin. 3. By electrophoresis the mucus lectin isolate comprises 3 proteins, 2 of which are glycoprotein. At least l0 components are separated by isoelectric focusing. 4. Mucus protein contains one dominant glycoprotein. The mucus lectin proteins account for the majority of the minor protein constituents of mucus protein.