Affinity purified Vicia villosa lectin or agglutinin (VVL/VVA) is a tetramer composed of four subunits. VVL consists of A and B subunits, with a dominant isolectin that appears to be B subunit-rich. A4 isolectin agglutinates specifically A1 erythrocytes. B4 isolectin does not agglutinate A, B, or O-erythrocytes; however, B4 binds the Tn antigen, a molecule expressed on the surface of most tumor cells. A2B2 and similar tetramer isolectins display properties characteristic of both A4 and B4 isolections.||Biotin is a small molecule involved in a wide range of metabolic processes. This ligand forms a complex with Avidin and Streptavidin, resulting in the strongest non-covalent protein-ligand interaction known. Biotinylated Vicia villosa Lectin (VVL/VVA) has an appropriate amount of biotin bound to provide optimum detection characteristics when using an Avidin-HRP or Streptavidin-HRP conjugate. Biotinylated lectins allow for more sensitive detection in ELISA and Western Blot applications.||Source:|Hairy vetch||Activity:|≥250ug/ml is usally required to agglutinate type A1 cells. |≤1ug/ml will agglutinate neuraminidase cells.||Sugar Specificity:|N-Acetylgalactosamine||Inhibitory Carbohydrate:|N-Acetylgalactosamine||Divalent Ions:|Ca++, Mn++||Storage and Stability:|Store product at 4°C if to be used immediately within two weeks. For long-term storage, aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing and store at -20°C. Aliquots are stable at -20°C for 12 months after receipt. Dilute required amount only prior to immediate use. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap.