Concanavalin A from Canavalia ensiformis (Jack bean) Type IV, lyophilized powder 
Synonym Con A 
CAS Number 11028-71-0 
Descriptions 
Analysis Note Where reported, agglutination activity is expressed in μg/ml and is determined from serial dilutions in phosphate buffered saline, pH 6.8, containing Ca 2+ and Mn 2+ of a 1 mg per mL solution. This activity is the lowest concentration to agglutinate a 2% suspension of human erythrocytes after 1 hr incubation at 25 °C. 
Biochem/physiol Actions Con A is not blood group specific but has an affinity for terminal α-D-mannosyl and α-D-glucosyl residues. Ca 2+ and Mn 2+ ions are required for activity. Con A dissociates into dimers at pH 5.6 or below. Between pH 5.8 and pH 7.0, Con A exists as a tetramer; above pH 7.0 higher aggregates are formed. Con A exhibits mitogenic activity which is dependent on its degree of aggregation. Succinylation results in an active dimeric form which remains a dimer above pH 5.6. 
Preparation Note Produced from Type III (C2631) using acetic acid by the method of Olson and Liener. 1 
Quality ……………………………. Highly purified 
Properties 
type …………………………………..Type IV 
form………………………………….. lyophilized powder 
potency ………………………………<64 μg per mL agglutination activity 
total impurities ……………………Carbohydrate, essentially free 
salt, essentially free 
storage temp . −20°C