Abstract
THE carbohydrate binding protein concanavalin A (Con A)1–3 can agglutinate cells transformed by a variety of carcinogenic agents, but it only agglutinates normal cells after they have been treated with trypsin4. This agglutination was reversed by competition with α-methyl-D-glucopyranoside (α-MG). These results indicated that transformed cells contain exposed binding sites that interact with Con A, whereas most such sites on normal cells are in a cryptic form4,5. These experiments were undertaken to determine whether treatment with Con A can result in cell toxicity; and if so, whether the difference in structure of the surface membrane between normal and transformed cells can result in a differential toxic effect, and can be used to inhibit tumour development in vivo.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Sumner, J. B., and Howell, S. F., J. Bact., 32, 227 (1936).
Goldstein, I. J., Hollerman, C. E., and Smith, E. E., Biochemistry, 4, 876 (1965).
Yariv, J., Kalb, A. J., and Levitzki, A., Biochim, Biophys. Acta, 165, 303 (1968).
Inbar, M., and Sachs, L., Proc. US Nat. Acad. Sci., 63, 1418 (1969); Inbar, M., Rabinowitz, Z., and Sachs, L., Intern. J. Cancer, 4, 690 (1969).
Inbar, M., and Sachs, L., Nature, 223, 710 (1969).
Huberman, E., Salzberg, S., and Sachs, L., Proc. US Nat. Acad. Sci., 59, 77 (1968).
Todaro, G. J., Green, H., and Goldberg, B. D., Proc. US Nat. Acad. Sci., 51, 66 (1964).
Kind, L. S., and Petersen, W. A., Science, 160, 312 (1968).
Burger, M. M., Proc. US Nat. Acad. Sci., 62, 994 (1969).
Lis, H., Sela, B., Sachs, L., and Sharon, N., Biochim. Biophys. Acta (in the press); Sela, B., Lis, H., Sharon, N., and Sachs, L., J. Membrane Biol. (in the press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
SHOHAM, J., INBAR, M. & SACHS, L. Differential Toxicity on Normal and Transformed Cells in vitro and Inhibition of Tumour Development in vivo by Concanavalin A. Nature 227, 1244–1246 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/2271244a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2271244a0
This article is cited by
-
A biomimetic receptor for glucose
Nature Chemistry (2019)
-
Comparison of the properties of concanavalin A and anti-α-d-glucose antibodies
Journal of Protein Chemistry (1996)
-
Plant lectin, ATF1011, on the tumor cell surface augments tumor-specific immunity through activation of T cells specific for the lectin
Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy (1987)
-
Pharmacological studies on a plant lectin, Aloctin A. I. Growth inhibition of mouse methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma (Meth A) in ascites form by Aloctin A
Experientia (1981)
-
Use of phytohemagglutinin in the treatment of maxillary cancer
Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (1980)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
