Concanavalin A

Concanavalin A kdorfman Mon, 04/23/2018 - 18:21
  • Sigma C5275 5 mg
  • Plant mitogen
  • Lectin (carbohydrate-binding protein) extracted from the jack-bean, Canavalia ensiformis

  • Con A binds specifically to α-Mannose, α-Galactose structures found in sugars, glycoproteins and glycolipids

  • Make stock 5 mg/mL solution (add 1 mL sterile PBS to bottle – gently rotate to mix)

  • Keep sterile - work in sterile hood

  • aliquot 100 µL into microfuge tubes  (cannot take repeated freeze-thaw cycles)

concanavalin_a.pdf

Con A coverslips

Con A coverslips kdorfman Sun, 05/24/2020 - 15:38

Requirements:   * Acid washed coverslips stored in 100% ethanol.

  • ConA 0.5 mg/mL. 

  • Large petri dishes to store the coverslips.    

  Procedure:

  • Flame the acid-washed coverslips and cool for 10 sec.    
    (Make 9-14 coverslips at a time to save time.)

  • Place the coverslips on top of the large petri dish.     

  • Thaw the conA from the freezer and dilute to 0.5 mg/mL 

  • apply around 400uL to the first two coverslips 

  • Wait for 10 sec. 

  • Tilt the coverslips and suck out the excess ConA 

  • Repeat the same for all the coverslips. 

  • Cover the petri dish with another lid of petri dish and allow a small opening to dry.

  • If possible,use a vacuum pump  to dry it faster.   

The process usually takes 15 minutes and drying takes half an hour. 

Storage:

  * In a petri dish, place the coverslips on top of a clean kimwipe with the conA surface facing up.

  • Cover with the lid. 10 min before needed, UV sterilize them.

  • Alternatively, UV sterilize all of them after drying and open the dishes only in aseptic conditions or inside hood.       

Con A dishes

Con A dishes kdorfman Sun, 05/24/2020 - 15:37

Concanavalin-coated coverslip dishes

  • Start with 5 mg/mL ConA stock solution

  • Keep sterile - work in sterile hood

  • aliquot 100 µL into microfuge tubes  (cannot take repeated freeze-thaw cycles)

  • Coat coverslip bottom dishes with either:

    • 0.75 mL 0.1 mg/mL:  0.015 mL (5 mg/mL) + 0.735 mL PBS
    • 0.75 mL 0.5 mg/mL:  0.075 mL (5 mg/mL) + 0.675 mL PBS

  • Incubate the coverslip dishes for 1 hour 37˚C 

  • Remove the solution

  • rinse in PBS 

  • Air dry the dish.