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The Potential Significance of Potato Hemagglutinins (Lectins) in Serodiagnosis. James F. Shepard, Department of Botany and Microbiology, Montana State University, Bozeman 59715. Phytopathology 60:1623-1625. Accepted for publication 11 June 1970. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-60-1623.

Extracts from both virus-free and potato virus X-infected potato tubers were found to contain hemagglutinating compounds referred to as lectins. The precipitating activity of the potato lectin was demonstrable in single-radial-immunodiffusion systems containing agar impregnated with either normal or immune sera. In radial-diffusion, the lectin reaction with blood group antigen was identical in appearance with that of potato virus X-degraded protein and its homologous antibody. To eliminate possible confusion in serological test systems, means were devised to control lectin reactions. No lectin-blood group antigen precipitation occurred in radial-diffusion systems which contained dialyzed or ammonium sulfate fractionated sera if a final concentration of 0.3% ammonium sulfate was present in the buffering medium.