AGGLUTININS FROM AQUATIC INSECTS - TUMOR-CELL AGGLUTINATION ACTIVITY

Agglutinins were identified in whole body extracts of aquatic insects by means of murine tumor cell agglutination, using sarcoma 180 ascites . Ehrlich, and MM-46 cells. Screening revealed agglutinins in 5 of 10 of the larvae tested, and in 2 of 6 of the water-dwelling adult insect s; Gerris paludum insularis and Gyrinus japonicus. Only the agglutinin from adult G. paludum also agglutinated human erythrocytes. An ascite s tumor was converted into a solid form in vivo after administration o f G. paludum agglutinin. The observation that these aquatic insect agg lutinins preferentially agglutinate tumor cells has considerable impli cations in terms of anti-tumor effects such as inhibition of cell prol iferation and metastasis.