Tomato lectin (from Lycopersicon esculentum) is an effective marker of blood vessels and microglial cells in rodents. Conjugation of the lectin with fluorescein facilitates fast, one-step detection and visualization using intravascular perfusion methods or direct application to tissue sections.
Specifications
More Information
Unit Size
1 mg
Applications
Immunofluorescence, Glycobiology
Recommended Usage
The recommended concentration range for use is 5-20 µg/ml.
Recommended Storage
2-8°C
Maximum Excitation
495-500 nm
Maximum Emission
514-521 nm
Solution
10 mM HEPES, 0.15 M NaCl, pH 7.5, 0.08% sodium azide,
0.1 mM CaCl2, 5mg/ml β cyclodextrin
Can the biotinylated Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) lectin be used for in vivo perfusion studies to trace blood vessels in mice?
The Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) lectin has been widely reported as an effective blood vessel marker for in vivo vascular perfusion studies in rodent species. Investigators have primarily utilized one of the fluorophore conjugated tomato lectin formats to trace blood vasculature in normal and diseased animals via tail vein or intracardiac injection. However, the biotinylated format has also been used. It allows for flexibility in subsequent visualization by way of either fluorescence or enzyme-based methods. Published references are best source for procedural details. Examples of references where biotinylated tomato lectins have been applied via in vivo perfusion are featured below: Robertson, R.T., et al. (2014) Histochem. Cell Biol. 143(2) Thurston, G., et al. (1998) Am. J Pathol. 153(4):1099-1112
Tomato lectin is a very stable single subunit glycoprotein containing about 50 percent arabinose and galactose and may form multimeric aggregates in solution. Tomato lectin, although sharing some specificities with potato lectin, Datura lectin, and wheat germ agglutinin, has been reported to be dissimilar in many respects. LEL binds well to glycophorin and Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein and has been used effectively to label vascular endothelium in rodents.
Accompanying each fluorescent lectin is an analysis data sheet summarizing the results of our quality control tests and providing pertinent information on the product. All of these reagents are supplied as solutions preserved with sodium azide.
Fluorescein labeled Tomato lectin has an appropriate number of fluorochromes bound to provide the optimum staining characteristics for this lectin. This conjugate is supplied essentially free of unconjugated fluorochromes.