Isolation and characterisation of a Salvia bogotensis seed lectin specific for the Tn antigen

A lectin was isolated from Salvia bogotensis seeds and characterised. An essential step in its purification was the removal of the abundant pigments and polysaccharides which are present in seeds. The lectin showed strong specific binding to Tn antigen-bearing glycoproteins such as asialo ovine and bovine submaxillary mucins.