Interaction between lectin from Ricinus communis and liposomes containing gangliosides

Abstract

A model has been presented showing the contribution of the protein-glycoprotein complex when transformed cells are agglutinted by lectins. But this has not been possible for the lectin-glycolipid complex because glycolipids form micelles, even at very low concentrations. This difficulty could be overcome by incorporating these glycolipids into lipid vesicles. (Haywood demonstrated that ganglioside incorporated in liposome can provide receptors for sendai virus). We have now studied the intercation between a galactose-specific lectin from Ricinus communis beans and liposomes containing different amounts of monosialoganglioside (GM₁), and found that the latter can be used as a model system for the investigation of agglutination of cells by lectins.