HEVEIN, A LECTIN-LIKE PROTEIN FROM HEVEA-BRASILIENSIS (RUBBER TREE) IS INVOLVED IN THE COAGULATION OF LATEX

Hevein, a lectin-like protein is the major protein of vacuolar structu res called lutoids in the latex of rubber trees. We have shown both by in planta and ex planta studies that hevein is involved in the coagul ation of latex by bringing together rubber particles. This polyvalent bridging between hevein and rubber particles is mediated by N-acetyl-D -glucosamine and involves a receptor glycoprotein of 22 kDa, which is localized on the surface of the rubber particles. The proposed role of hevein helps us to understand the mechanism of coagulation of latex a nd assigns a physiological intracellular function to one of the smalle st lectins.