[Search for lectin-producers among representatives of some yeast genera]

Abstract

Hemagglutinating properties of the culture liquid and cells of 451 strains, 24 species, 7 genera of the museum and fresh yeast cultures have been investigated. The researchers have distinguished 333 strains (74%) capable for production of extracellular lectins and those bound to the cell surface with activity about 512-1024 hemagglutinating units. The extracellular lectins were found in 41% of lectin-synthesizing strains; the highest amount of their producers were found among representatives of genera Saccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, Cryptococcus. Strains of Debaryomyces genus mainly synthesized lectins of the bound form, and the yeast of Pichia genus--lectins of the both types. Affinity of the extracellular lectin Saccharomyces cerevisiae UCM Y-530 for D-gluconic acid has been established.