Lectins are proteins of plant origin, which have the ability to bind to certain neuronal surface glycoproteins and glycolipids. This ability of theirs helps them to be used as neuroanatomical tracers, as they are taken and transported in a retrograde or anterograde fashion.

Lectin from Phytolacca americana (pokeweed) is used for proliferation Assay. (Cellular proliferative responses were measured by the incorporation of 3H thymidine in newly synthesized DNA, using a conventional assay).

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins and are highly specific for sugar moieties. Pokeweed lectin (PL) is a lectin specific for N-acetylglucosamine-containing saccharides that stimulate peripheral lymphocytes to undergo mitosis by binding to their cell surfaces. Four types of lectins are isolated from the roots of pokeweed (Phytolacca americana). They contain homologous domains but have different molecular sizes and biological properties.

PWM is extracted from pokeweed roots. This protein has hemagglutinating, leukoagglutinating, and mitogenic properties. PWM is not blood group specific, but has affinity for N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine oligomers.

Mitogenic activity was determined by BrdU incorporation in HeLa cell cultures.

Partially purified TCA precipitate.
Essentially salt-free.