DETECTION OF TWO LECTINS IN HAEMOLYMPH FROM THE OYSTER PINCTADA MAXIMA

Two lectins were detected in haemolymph from the oyster Pinctada maxima, a macromolecular (approximately 8 X 10(6) dalton) N-acetyl-galactosamine-binding lectin and a lower molecular weight (approximately 4 X 10(5) dalton) alpha-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 X 10(5) dalton lectin agglutinated human type A, B and O erythrocytes to the same extent.