Induction of cytoplasmic mannose-binding jacalin-related lectins is a common phenomenon in cereals treated with jasmonate methyl ester.

Treatment of whole plants with jasmonic acid methyl ester induces lectin activity in leaves of Oryza sativa, Hordeum vulgare, Triticum vulgare, Secale cereale and Zea mays. Purification and characterization of the lectins revealed that they all have a very similar molecular structure and carbohydrate-binding properties. Further analysis of the cDNA clones encoding the lectins revealed that they all belong to the family of cytoplasmic mannose-specific jacalin-related lectins.