A lectin with antifungal and mitogenic activities from red cluster pepper (Capsicum frutescens) seeds.

A monomeric mannose/glucose-binding lectin, with a molecular mass of 29.5 kDa and an N-terminal sequence GQRELKL showing resemblance to that of the lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor from the rabbit, has been isolated from the seeds of red cluster pepper Capsium frutescens L. var. fasciculatum. The protocol involved anion exchange chromatography on diethylamino ethanol-cellulose and Q-Sepharose and fast protein liquid chromatography on Mono Q. Its hemagglutinating activity toward rabbit erythrocytes was inhibited by D: -mannose and glucose, specifically. The activity was stable from 0 to 40 degrees C, reached a maximum at pH 7 and 8, and was potentiated by Ca2+ and Mn2+ ions. The lectin showed strong mitogenic activity toward spleen cells isolated from BALB/c mice. The mitogenic activity, which reached a peak at a lectin concentration of 0.27 microM, was inhibited specifically by D(+)-mannose. The lectin was capable of inhibiting the germination of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium moniliforme spores and hyphal growth in the two fungi.