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Screening of Mushrooms from the Woodlands of Zimbabwe: Occurrence of Lectins and Partial Purification of a Mucin Specific Lectin from Boletus edulis

Summary

This research discovered new protein compounds called lectins in wild mushrooms from Zimbabwe. These lectins could have important medical applications. The study specifically found a unique lectin in the edible mushroom Boletus edulis that could potentially be developed into therapeutic treatments. Impacts on everyday life: • Identifies new sources of potentially beneficial compounds in common edible mushrooms • Could lead to development of new natural medicines and supplements • Demonstrates the value of preserving local biodiversity and traditional food sources • May provide economic opportunities through mushroom cultivation and processing • Contributes to understanding how to better utilize local natural resources for health benefits

Background

Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin that can bind specifically and reversibly to complex carbohydrates on cell surfaces, resulting in cell agglutination. These molecules are widely distributed in nature and found across organisms including fungi and mushrooms. Over 100 different mushroom lectins have been identified, drawing research interest due to their exploitable properties including antimicrobial, antiproliferative, antitumor, immunomodulatory and anti-HIV activities.

Objective

This study aimed to screen for the occurrence of lectins from ten different mushrooms found in Zimbabwe’s Miombo woodlands, and to isolate and characterize novel lectins. The research focused on detecting lectin content through haemagglutination activity against sheep and goat erythrocytes.

Results

Among the ten mushrooms screened, Amanita sp., Boletus edulis, and Lactarius kabansus showed lectin activity. B. edulis demonstrated the highest specific activity (617 HAU/mg for goat and 154 HAU/mg for sheep erythrocytes). Of twenty sugars tested, only porcine mucin inhibited B. edulis lectin activity. The 30-60% ammonium sulphate fraction showed highest lectin activity during partial purification.

Conclusion

The study revealed for the first time the occurrence of lectins in local Zimbabwean mushrooms and isolated a novel mucin-specific lectin from Boletus edulis. This newly identified lectin shows potential for investigating cell surface sugars, purifying glycoproteins, and contributing to the medicinal properties of local mushrooms.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265494
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