CasuL: A new lectin isolated from Calliandra surinamensis leaf pinnulae with cytotoxicity to cancer cells, antimicrobial activity and antibiofilm effect

Abstract

This work describes the isolation of a lectin (CasuL) from the leaf pinnulae of Calliandra surinamensis and the evaluation of its cytotoxic, antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties. Proteins from pinnulae extract were precipitated with ammonium sulphate (60% saturation) and submitted to Sephadex G-75 chromatography, which yielded isolated CasuL (purification factor: 113). Native CasuL is an acidic protein (pI 5.82) with a relative molecular mass of 48kDa. This lectin is also an oligomeric protein composed of three subunits and mass spectrometry revealed similarities with a Sorghum bicolor protein. CasuL did not undergo unfolding when heated but changes in conformation and hemagglutinating activity were detected at basic pH. CasuL did not reduce the viability of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells but was toxic to leukemic K562 cells (IC 67.04±5.78μg/mL) and breast cancer T47D cells (IC: 58.75±2.5μg/mL). CasuL (6.25-800μg/mL) only showed bacteriostatic effect but was able to reduce biofilm formation by Staphylococcus saprophyticcus and Staphylococcus aureus (non-resistant and oxacillin-resistant isolates). CasuL showed antifungal activity against Candida krusei causing alterations in cell morphology and damage to cell wall. In conclusion, the pinnulae of C. surinamensis leaves contain a thermo-stable lectin with biotechnological potential as cytotoxic, antibiofilm, and antifungal agent.

Effects of Opuntia ficus-indica lectin on feeding, survival, and gut enzymes of maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais

“…Lectin concentration was determined according to Lowry et al [23] using bovine serum albumin (31.25-500 lg/mL) as the standard. Carbohydrate-binding ability was monitored through the hemagglutination assay, which was carried out in microtiter plates according to Procópio et al [24] using rabbit erythrocytes treated with glutaraldehyde [25]. The collection of erythrocytes was approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Experimentation of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (23076.033782/2015-70).…”

Looking for alternative treatments for bovine and caprine mastitis: Evaluation of the potential of Calliandra surinamensis leaf pinnulae lectin (CasuL), both alone and in combination with antibiotics

“…CasuL was isolated according to the protocol previously established by Procópio, Patriota, et al (). The isolated lectin showed a specific HA of 1,420.0 and was inhibited by fetuin, as in the previous report, confirming that the carbohydrate‐binding activity of the sample was effective.…”

“…The Ethics Committee on Animal Use of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco approved the method that was used to collect erythrocytes (process 23076.033782/2015‐70). The HA was determined as described by Procópio, Patriota, et al () and the number of HA units was determined as the reciprocal of the highest dilution of the lectin that was able to agglutinate erythrocytes. Specific HA was calculated by determining the ratio of HA to protein concentration (mg/ml).…”

Lectins as Promising Therapeutics for the Prevention and Treatment of HIV and Other Potential Coinfections

“…Recently, the novel lectin CasuL produced by Calliandra surinamensis was shown to display bacteriostatic effects and reduce biofilm formation by nonresistant and oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. [ 111 ]. The plant lectins ConBr and CFL produced by Canavalia brasiliensis and Cratylia argentea , respectively, induce antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects in mouse peritoneal macrophages upon infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium [ 112 ].…”