C2010

Concanavalin A from Canavalia ensiformis (Jack bean)

Type IV, lyophilized powder

• Synonym(s): Con A
• CAS Number: 11028-71-0
• EC Number: 234-258-2
• MDL number: MFCD00071069
• UNSPSC Code: 23151817
• NACRES: NA.32

Properties

• type: Type IV
• form: lyophilized powder
• potency: <64 μg per mL agglutination activity
• impurities: Carbohydrate, essentially free; salt, essentially free
• storage temp.: −20°C

Description

General description

Concanavalin A (con A) is a plant lectin refined from jack beans. It is a tetrameric protein, which has four identical 28 kDa subunits. Con A has the ability to connect with the mannose residues of several glycoproteins and can stimulate lymphocytes.

Application

Concanavalin A from Canavalia ensiformis (Jack bean) has been used:

• as T-lymphocyte mitogen in lymphocyte proliferation assay for correlations with organochlorine contaminants (OCs)
• for in vitro stimulation of T cell hybridomas, BW5147 cells and primary CD4⁺ T cells for T cell vaccination and for induction of hepatitis
• for the stimulation of mice splenocytes in the suppression of T-lymphocytes proliferation assay
• for the stimulation of spleen in mitogen assays

Biochem/physiol Actions

Con A is not blood group specific but has an affinity for terminal α-D-mannosyl and α-D-glucosyl residues. Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions are required for activity. Con A dissociates into dimers at pH 5.6 or below. Between pH 5.8 and pH 7.0, Con A exists as a tetramer; above pH 7.0 higher aggregates are formed. Con A exhibits mitogenic activity which is dependent on its degree of aggregation. Succinylation results in an active dimeric form which remains a dimer above pH 5.6.

Quality

Highly purified by specific affinity chromatography

Analysis Note

Where reported, agglutination activity is expressed in μg/ml and is determined from serial dilutions in phosphate buffered saline, pH 6.8, containing Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺ of a 1 mg per mL solution. This activity is the lowest concentration to agglutinate a 2% suspension of human erythrocytes after 1 hr incubation at 25 °C.

Safety Information

• Pictograms: GHS08
• Signal Word: Danger
• Hazard Statements: H317,H334,H361
• Precautionary Statements: P202 - P261 - P272 - P280 - P302 + P352 - P308 + P313
• Hazard Classifications: Repr. 2 - Resp. Sens. 1 - Skin Sens. 1
• Storage Class Code: 13 - Non Combustible Solids
• WGK: WGK 3
• Flash Point(F): Not applicable
• Flash Point(C): Not applicable
• Personal Protective Equipment: dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves