Lectins as probes of chromatin structure. Binding of concanavalin A to purified rat liver chromatin

W. B. Rizzo, M. Bustin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Concanavalin A (Con A) binds specifically to rat liver chromatin. The extent of binding is directly proportional to both chromatin and concanavalin A concentration. It is reversible and inhibited by specific sugars for which concanavalin A has a binding site. Scatchard analysis reveals the presence of one type of Con A-binding site, with an apparent dissociation constant of 3x10-7M. A maximum of 10 pmol of Con A binds to 10 μg of chromatin, indicating an average of one binding site/1400 base pairs of DNA. To identify the polypeptide chains which contain Con A-binding sites, chromosomal proteins were separated by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate. Con A receptors were localized by incubating the gel in 125I-Con A and subsequent autoradiography. Three major polypeptide bands which bind Con A were identified among the nonhistone chromosomal proteins. The apparent molecular weights of these glycoproteins are 135,000, 125,000, and 69,000. We suggest that lectins may serve as probes for the study of the organization of specific components in chromatin.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7062-7067
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume252
Issue number20
StatePublished - 1977
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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