Purification and characterization of a lectin from hard roe of skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis

Lectins or carbohydrate-binding proteins are proteins of non-immune origin, which is able to agglutinate cells, and precipitate polysaccharides and glycoconjugates (Goldstein et al., 1980). Lectins with diverse physiological roles are widely distributed to the various plant, microorganisms, invertebrates and vertebrates. The ubiquitous occurrence of lectins in nature and their ability to recognize complementary sugars provided a stimulus for the continuous research for their biochemical properties and physiological functions (Raz and Lotan, 1987). (omitted)