Neisseria gonorrhoeae lectin useful as a vaccine and diagnostic marker and means for producing this lectin

摘要

A bacterial lectin isolatable from Neisseria gonorrhoeae is disclosed. This lectin binds to gonococcal carbohydrates such as gangliotetraosylceramide, has a relative molecular weight of about 22,400 daltons, and an isolectric pH value in the range of about 6.1 to about 6.4. The disclosed lectin is useful as a constituent of a vaccine against gonorrhea and as a diagnostic means for gonorrhea. A method for isolating this lectin is also disclosed, as well as means for producing it.