Agglutinins of the Red Kidney Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris): A New Cytoagglutinin Distinct from Hemagglutinin

Abstract

Kidney bean extract has been investigated with respect to its human erythrocyte and nucleated cell agglutinating properties. In addition to the customarily found hemagglutinin, the extract contains two different agglutinin activities. These can be separated by differential absorption with red blood cell stroma and show activity against cells other than red blood cells. The first of these is associated with a fraction of bean extract containing the hemagglutinin and shows some physical properties in common with the hemagglutinin. The hemagglutinin and this nucleated cell agglutinin can be absorbed and recovered from stroma under the same conditions and both have the same temperature of inactivation. It is not yet known whether the two activities are a function of the same material or two separate agglutinins. The second nucleated cell agglutinin is found in another fraction not absorbable by stroma, is devoid of hemagglutinating activity, and requires a higher temperature than the aforementioned nucleated cell agglutinin to be inactivated.