WGA, Wheat germ agglutinin

The Uses of WGA, Wheat germ agglutinin

Lectin from Triticum vulgaris (wheat) has been used:

• to treat transfected cells for immunofluorescence
• to stereotaxically inject into mice for neuronal tracing
• in immunohistochemistry for the analysis of myocytes

The Uses of WGA, Wheat germ agglutinin

Lectin from Triticum vulgaris (wheat) has been used:

• to conjugate with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) dye
• to inhibit nuclear import
• to inhibit the nuclear pore of human cervical carcinoma HeLa and SiHa cells

The Uses of WGA, Wheat germ agglutinin

Used for the purification of glycoproteins containing (D-N-acetylglucosamine)₂ or N-acetylneuraminic acid.

General Description

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins. They are omnipresent and usually found in fungi, plants and animals. The secondary structure of this protein is rich in β-strands and possesses carbohydrate binding sites on the surface.

Biochem/physiol Actions

WGA is not blood group specific but has an affinity for N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminyl residues and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine oligomers. WGA contains no protein-bound carbohydrate.