XVI International Botanical Congess

Gallanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNAA, 50 kDa tetramer) is a mannose-specific lectin of the Amaryllidaceae family of bulb lectins, that exhibit antiviral activities towards HIV and cytomegalovirus. The content of GNA in the bulks of different endemic species of Galanthus: G. Woronowii, G. Caucasicus and G. Kemularia were investigated. The bulbs were homogenized in the extraction medium and after centrifugation at the 10. 000 x g the supernatants were clarified by filtration through AMillipore@ filters. The filtrates were applied on the mannose-agarose column and lectine was eluted by 0.1M mannose. The eluates were concentrated and analyzed by SDS-PAG electrophoresis and isoelectrofocusing. Only one protein band with 12 kDa and 5.7 isoelectic point was obtained. It was found that only bulbs from G. Woronowii contained GNA in a high concentration.