Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel lectin gene from Zephyranthes candida.

A new lectin gene was cloned from Zephyranthes candida by using RACE-PCR. The full-length cDNA of Zephyranthes candida agglutinin (ZCA) was 647 bp and contained a 477 bp open reading frame encoding a 159 amino acid protein. Zephyranthes candida lectin gene was found to encode a precursor lectin with signal peptide and had extensive homology with those of other plant lectins. Molecular modeling of ZCA indicated that the three-dimensional structure of ZCA strongly resembles that of the snowdrop lectin, implying ZCA may have the similar insecticidal functions with GNA.