Griffonia (Bandeiraea) simplicifolia lectin II (GSL II, BSL II), Biotinylated

Griffonia (Bandeiraea) Simplicifolia Lectin II (GSL II, BSL II), Biotinylated, 2 mg. This lectin is a dimeric glycoprotein composed of two subunits of nearly identical size, with each subunit having disulfide-linked chains and a binding site for alpha- or beta-linked N-acetylglucosamine residues. Unlike other N-acetylglucosamine-specific lectins, increasing the number of N-acetylglucosamine residues beyond two does not improve affinity. GSL II has been reported to be unique in its ability to recognize exclusively alpha- or beta-linked N-acetylglucosamine residues on the nonreducing terminal of oligosaccharides. Biotinylated GSL II has an appropriate number of biotins bound to provide the optimum staining characteristics for this lectin. This conjugate is supplied essentially free of unconjugated biotins and is preserved with sodium azide.