Purification of AJLec: A Novel Galactose-Specific Lectin from the Sea Anemone Anthopleura japonica.

AJLec (18.5 kDa), a novel galactose-specific lectin, was isolated from the sea anemone Anthopleura japonica. AJLec demonstrates specificity for galactose monomers and β-linked terminal galactose residues in complex carbohydrates but not for N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) which is commonly recognized by the galactose-binding lectins. Here, we have described the characteristics and process of extraction and purification of AJLec from Anthopleura japonica, which is useful for the analysis of complex carbohydrates.