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Antinutritive effects of wheat-germ agglutinin and other N-acetylglucosamine-specific lectins

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

A. Pusztai ,
S. W. B. Ewen ,
G. Grant ,
D. S. Brown ,
J. C. Stewart ,
W. J. Peumans ,
E. J. M. Van Damme  and
S. Bardocz
A. Pusztai
Affiliation:
The Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
S. W. B. Ewen
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB9 2ZX
G. Grant
Affiliation:
The Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
D. S. Brown
Affiliation:
The Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
J. C. Stewart
Affiliation:
The Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
W. J. Peumans
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Phytopathology and Plant Protection, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
E. J. M. Van Damme
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Phytopathology and Plant Protection, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
S. Bardocz
Affiliation:
The Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
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Abstract

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Incorporation of N-acetylglucosamine-specific agglutinins from wheat germ (Triticum aestivum; WGA), thorn apple (Datura stramonium) or nettle (Urtica dioica) rhizomes in the diet at the level of 7 g/kg reduced the apparent digestibility and utilization of dietary proteins and the growth of rats, with WGA being the most damaging. As a result of their binding and endocytosis by the epithelial cells of the small intestine, all three lectins were growth factors for the gut and interfered with its metabolism and function to varying degrees. WGA was particularly effective; it induced extensive polyamine-dependent hyperplastic and hypertrophic growth of the small bowel by increasing its content of proteins, RNA and DNA. Furthermore, an appreciable portion of the endocytosed WGA was transported across the gut wall into the systemic circulation, where it was deposited in the walls of the blood and lymphatic vessels. WGA also induced the hypertrophic growth of the pancreas and caused thymus atrophy. Although the transfer of the gene of WGA into crop plants has been advocated to increase their insect resistance, as the presence of this lectin in the diet may harm higher animals at the concentrations required to be effective against most pests, its use in plants as natural insecticide is not without health risks for man.

Keywords

LectinsAntinutrientsSmall intestineRatInsect resistance
Type
Nutritional Effects of Biologically Active Components of Plants
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 70 , Issue 1 , July 1993 , pp. 313 - 321
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1993

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