Biopolymers and cell. 2003; 19 (3): 224 - 230

Study on modifying action of lectins on the toxic and mutagenic effects of Ni(II) ions in Bacillus subtills culture

I. S. Karpova, N. V. Koretskaya

The sensitivity of B. subtilis rec⁺ and rec^- strains to the toxic action of Ni(II) ions after pretreatment of cells with lectins of plant (ConA, LAA, PHA, STA, WGA, SNA, VAA), animal (HPA) and bacterial (exolectin of B. subtilis) origin has been compared. Six lectins of different structure, physical/chemical properties and carbohydrate specificity demonstrated their ability to defense the cell partially or completely from the toxic action of Ni(II) in order ConA - STA > PHA-P - LAA > PHA-L > SNA. Only rec⁺ strain was sensitive to such protection. Three lectins did not show any protective effect. The untimutagenic effect of PHA-P and PHA-L preparations, being tested by the number of trp⁺ revertants, was found after pretreatment or postincubation with lectins but it was absent when lectin and NiCl₂, were added to bacterial culture simultaneously. It is suggested that the protective and untimutagenic effects of lectins are realized via activation of the cell reparation system..