C7555

Concanavalin A from Canavalia ensiformis (Jack bean)

agarose conjugate, Type VI, saline suspension

• Synonym(s): ConA
• UNSPSC Code: 12161501
• NACRES: NA.32

Properties

• biological source: Canavalia ensiformis
• conjugate: agarose conjugate
• type: Type VI
• form: saline suspension
• extent of labeling: 15-30 mg concanavalin A protein per mL
• matrix: cross-linked 4% beaded agarose
• matrix activation: cyanogen bromide
• matrix attachment: amino
• matrix spacer: 1 atom
• storage temp.: 2-8°C

Description

General description

Concanavalin A (Con A), isolated from Jack beans (Canavalia ensiformis), is a mannose or glucose specific-binding lectin. The lectin is a tetramer and each subunit possesses a saccharide-binding site. Con A can be isolated by affinity chromatography with dextrans.

Application

Concanavalin A (Con A) has been used for enzyme immobilization.

Used for the purification of glycoproteins containing mannose

Biochem/physiol Actions

Concanavalin A (Con A) is a T cell mitogen that can activate the lymphocytes.
Con A can induce tumor cell death through autophagy.

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.

Physical form

Suspension in 1.0 M NaCl + 0.1 M potassium phosphate, pH 6.0, with 1 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM MgCl₂ and 1 mM MnCl₂ containing preservative

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
• signalword: Danger
• hcodes: H317,H334
• pcodes: P261 - P272 - P280 - P284 - P302 + P352 - P333 + P313
• Hazard Classifications: Resp. Sens. 1 - Skin Sens. 1
• Storage Class: 12 - Non Combustible Liquids
• wgk_germany: WGK 3
• flash_point_f: Not applicable
• flash_point_c: Not applicable