Characterization of VIP36, an animal lectin homologous to leguminous lectins.

VIP36 was isolated from MDCK cells as a component of glycolipid-enriched detergent-insoluble complexes. The protein is localized to the Golgi apparatus and the cell surface, and belongs to a new family of legume lectin homologues in the animal secretory pathway that might be involved in the trafficking of glycoproteins, glycolipids or both. Here we show that VIP36 is N-glycosylated and expressed in organs abundant in epithelial cells as well as in non-epithelial organs. Our studies demonstrate that the recombinant exoplasmic/luminal domain of VIP36 binds Ca2+ and that the protein decorates internal membrane structures of MDCK cells in vitro that are distinct from the Golgi apparatus. This binding requires Ca2+ and can be specifically inhibited by N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. The recombinant protein was used for affinity chromatography. Glycopeptides obtained from [3H]galactose-labelled cells bind to VIP36 and can be eluted with N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. Our data imply that VIP36 functions as a lectin in post-Golgi trafficking.