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SummaryExtracts from 21 indigenous Australian plant species, representing eight genera, were tested for haemagglutinating activity to human and animal erythrocytes. Extracts from Bauhinia carronii, Hardenbergia comptoniana, Ptilotis obovatus and Rhadogia crassifolia agglutinated at least one of the erythrocyte types tested. The extracts from B. carronii and R. crassifolia contained mitogens for human lymphocytes. Both the haemagglutinating and mitogenic activity of the B. carronii extract were inhibited by lactose. Both the haemagglutinating and mitogenic activity of R. crassifolia were inhibited by maltose and α-methyl-glucoside. The haemagglutinating activity of H. comptoniana was inhibited by raffinose and the haemagglutinating activity of P. obovatus by maltose and α-methylglucoside.Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science (1984) 62, 763–769; doi:10.1038/icb.1984.72

SummaryExposure to a peptide extract from murine spleen reduced the viable count of E. coli and E. coli spheroplasts. The reduction in viable count was reflected by reduced incorporation of radiolabelled thymidine and was apparently due to a loss of the ability of treated organisms to divide.Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science (1978) 56, 605–608; doi:10.1038/icb.1978.67

SummaryTwo lectins were detected in haemolymph from the oyster Pinctada maxima, a macromolecular (approximately 8 × 106dalton) N-acetyl-galactosamine-binding lectin and a lower molecular weight (approximately 4 × 105dalton)α-galactose-binding lectin. The macro-molecular lectin agglutinated human type A erythrocytes to a greater extent than human type B or O erythrocytes and was the major lectin detected in the haemolymph. The 4 × 105dalton lectin agglutinated human type A, B and O erythrocytes to the same extent. Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science (1985) 63, 703–707; doi:10.1038/icb.1985.73