Concanavalin A (Con A), a plant lectin, has become an object of extensive research not only for the biochemist, but also for the bi­ ologist, biophysicist, pathologist, immunologist and others. On April 19-20, 1974 a group of scholars from four continents met on the campus of the University of Oklahoma for an International Symposium on Con A. This volume contains all lectures presented by the invited speakers on this occasion, as well as the abstracts for all shorter technical papers which were presented. Further, the edi­ tors invited additional contributions from a few selected laboratories to cover the areas not covered in the symposium itself. This volume then reports the present status of research with Con A. In a sense it is encyclopedic and should be a useful reference tool to the worker in this field. The newcomer to this area will find that a careful study of this book will bring him up-to-date with the latest techniques, ap­ proaches and the "state of the art" in this specialized area of re­ search, as well as with traps and ensnarements in which he need not get entangled again. Starting at the molecular level and advancing from there to the organismic level as well as to a number of highly specialized areas, this volume presents the most complete survey of research findings with Con A available today. The editors wish to acknowledge the generous financial support provided by the University of Oklahoma through its President, Dr.

Inhalt

1 Concanavalin A: An Introduction.- I. Background Information.- II. Physical and Chemical Properties of Concanavalin A.- III. Biological Properties of Concanavalin A.- References.- 2 Structure and Function of Concanavalin A.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Structure of Concanavalin A.- III. Saccharide Binding Function of Concanavalin A.- IV. Multivalent Nature of Con A.- V. A Model for Interactions between Cell Surface Receptors and Cytoplasmic Structures.- References.- 3 Studies on the Combining Sites of Concanavalin A.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Methods, Results, and Discussion.- References.- 4 13C NMR Studies of the Interaction of Concanavalin A with Saccharides.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Methods.- III. Results and Discussion.- References.- 5 Self-Association, Conformation and Binding Equilibria of Concanavalin A.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Methods, Results, and Discussion.- III. Conclusion.- References.- 6 Studies on the Interaction of Concanavalin A with Glycoproteins.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Methods.- III. Results.- References.- 7 Interaction of Concanavalin A with the Surface of Virus - Infected Cells.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Methods, Results, and Discussions.- References.- 8 Concanavalin A as A Quantitative and Ultrastructural Probe for Normal and Neoplastic Cell Surfaces.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Methods.- III. Results and Discussion.- References.- 9 Microtubular Proteins and Concanavalin A Receptors.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Methods.- III. Results.- IV. Discussion.- References.- 10 Effects of Concanavalin a on Cellular Dynamics and Membrane Transport.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Methods of Procedure.- III. Results.- IV. Discussion.- References.- 11 The Characteristics of Succinylated Con a Induced Growth Inhibition of 3T3 Cells in Tissue Culture.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Methods.- III. Results.- IV. Discussion.- References.- 12 Cell Cycle Dependent Agglutinability, Distribution of Concanavalin a Binding Sites and Surface Morphology of Normal and Transformed Fibroblasts.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Materials and Methods.- III. Results.- IV. Discussion.- References.- 13 Concanavalin A and Other Lectins in the Study of Tumor Cell Surface Organization.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Methods.- III. Results.- IV. Discussion.- References.- 14 Modification of the Biological Activities of Concanavalin A by Anti-Concanavalin A.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Methods, Results, and Discussion.- References.- 15 Concanavalin A as A Probe for Studying the Mechanism of Metabolic Stimulation of Leukocytes.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Materials and Methods.- III. Results.- IV. Discussion.- References.- 16 Enhanced Cytotoxicity in Mice of Combinations of Concanavalin A and Selected Antitumor Drugs.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Materials and Methods.- III. Results.- IV. Discussion.- References.- 17 Effect of Concanavalin A and Phytohemagglutinin on the Modification of Immunogenicity of Canine Kidney Allografts.- Abstract.- I. Introduction.- II. Materials and Methods.- III. Results.- IV. Discussion.- References.- Abstracts.- Evidence for Conformational Changes in Concanavalin A upon Binding of Saccharides as Determined from Solvent Water Proton Magnetic Relaxation Rate Dispersion Measurements.- Magnetic Resonance Studies of Concanavalin A: Location of The Binding Site of Methyl-D-Mannopyranoside.- The Metal Ion Requirements of Concanavalin A.- The Kinetics of Cellular Commitment during Stimulation of Lymphocytes by Concanavalin A.- Isolation of A Glycoprotein Receptor for Concanavalin A from the Outer Surface of Mouse L Cells.- Electron Microscopic Study on Interaction of Concanavalin A with Mouse Lymphosarcoma Cells in Tissue Culture and in Ascites form.- The Effect of Glutaraldehyde Fixation on the Agglutination of Human Erythrocytes by Concanavalin A and Soybean Agglutinin.- Altered Net Cation Transfer Across the Ehrlich Mouse Ascites Tumor Cell During Exposure to Concanavalin A.- Effects of Con A on Frog Nerve and Muscle.- Modification of the Surface Characteristics of Developing Hemopoietic Cells from Normal Human Bone Marrow Revealed Ultrastructurally by the Concanavalin A-Peroxidasediaminobenzidine Technique.- Effects of Succinyl-Con A on the Growth of Normal and Transformed Mouse Fibroblasts.- Endotoxin-Like Activities in Concanavalin A Preparations.- Concanavalin A Induced Inflammation.- Enhanced Immunogenicity of Con A Coated El-4 Leukemia Cells.- List of Contributors.