Rv. Antunes et Lcbb. Coelho, IDENTIFICATION OF LECTIN ACTIVITY IN THE HEMOLYMPH OF CASTNIA-LICUS DRURY, A SUGARCANE GIANT BORER (LEPIDOPTERA-CASTNIIDAE), Applied biochemistry and biotechnology, 47(1), 1994, pp. 33-37
Castnia licus Drury, in the larvae stage, is a major pest in the sugar
cane industry of Northeastern Brazil (giant borer). A natural hemagglu
tination activity was detected in the larvae hemolymph of this insect
and the activity have not been inhibited by tested carbohydrates. Frac
tionation with ammonium sulfate showed that the supernatant of the 15-
30% fraction (S15-30%) had the lectin's highest specific activity. Aci
dic and basic lectin activities were separated by chromatography on CM
-cellulose; the fractionated molecular forms showed distinct electroph
oresis mobilities.