Concanavalin A Magnetic Beads (1 μm) – Catalog #B2025473

Concanavalin A (Con A) magnetic beads (Catalog #B2025473) are small, 1 µm magnetic particles coated with concanavalin A lectin, supplied as 1 mL in solution. Concanavalin A is a plant lectin from the jack bean that binds specifically to α-D-mannose and α-D-glucose residues on glycoproteins and glycolipids. The immobilization of Con A on magnetic beads combines the specificity and binding capacity of the lectin with the convenience of magnetic separation, allowing researchers to isolate and purify glycoproteins from complex samples without centrifugation.

Scientific Overview

Concanavalin A is a tetrameric plant lectin (approximately 104 kDa) derived from the jack bean that has been extensively characterized both structurally and biochemically. It recognizes and binds specifically to α-linked mannose and glucose residues on glycoproteins, glycolipids, and polysaccharides. This specificity makes Con A an invaluable tool for the selective isolation and purification of glycoproteins from cell lysates, serum, and other biological samples. By immobilizing Con A onto magnetic particles, researchers can perform rapid, hands-on affinity separation without relying on centrifugation. The 1 µm bead size offers a large surface area and efficient magnetic responsiveness.

Key applications include:

• Isolation and purification of glycoproteins from cell lysates and serum
• Enrichment of mannose- and glucose-containing proteins for proteomic analysis
• Detection and quantification of glycosylated targets in bioassays
• Glycoprotein depletion or removal from samples
• Cell surface protein isolation and characterization

Usage & Handling Guidance

Store the suspension at 2–8°C. Gently mix before use and resuspend if beads have settled. Optimize the bead volume, incubation time, and washing steps for your specific glycoprotein target.

• Binding: Incubate beads with your sample (cell lysate, serum, or purified protein) to allow Con A lectin domains to capture glycoproteins; typical incubation times range from 30 minutes to several hours at 4°C.
• Separation: Apply a magnetic field to collect beads and bound glycoproteins; remove the supernatant.
• Washing: Resuspend and wash beads multiple times with appropriate buffer to remove non-specific binding.
• Elution: Bound glycoproteins can be eluted by competitive displacement with free mannose or methyl α-D-mannopyranoside, or by changing pH or ionic strength.

What You Get

• 1 mL of concanavalin A magnetic bead suspension
• 1 µm magnetic particles coated with active lectin
• Ready-to-use formulation for rapid glycoprotein isolation
• For research use only (RUO)

Why Researchers Choose It

• High specificity for mannose and glucose residues on glycoproteins
• Magnetic separation allows fast, hands-on isolation without centrifugation
• Small bead size (1 µm) for efficient binding and quick magnetic response
• Simple, scalable workflow for rapid sample preparation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What does concanavalin A bind?
  Con A specifically recognizes α-linked mannose and glucose residues on glycoproteins, glycolipids, and polysaccharides. It does not bind N-linked oligosaccharides containing sialic acid or galactose in terminal positions.
• How do I elute bound glycoproteins?
  Glycoproteins can be eluted by adding competitive substrates such as methyl α-D-mannopyranoside (5–100 mM) or free mannose, or by changing pH or salt concentration. Request the COA or contact us for lot-specific elution protocols.
• Can I use these beads in automated systems?
  Yes, the small size and strong magnetic response make them compatible with magnetic bead handling robots and automated liquid handlers.
• How should I store them?
  Store at 2–8°C. Gently mix before use to ensure uniform suspension.
• Can I get a COA or TDS?
  Yes. Request a quote or contact us and we will provide available lot documentation.

References

• Lee YC, Block G, Chen H, Folch-Puy E, Foronjy R, Jalili R, Jendresen CB, Kimura M, Kraft E, Lindemose S, Lu J, McLain T, Nutt L, Ramon-Garcia S, Smith J, Spivak A, Wang ML, Zanic M, Lin SH. One-step isolation of plasma membrane proteins using magnetic beads with immobilized concanavalin A. Protein Expr Purif. 2008;62(2):223-9.
• Lee YC, Srajer Gajdosik M, Josic D, Lin SH. Plasma membrane isolation using immobilized concanavalin A magnetic beads. Methods Mol Biol. 2012;909:29-41.
• Lee YC, Liu HC, Chuang C, Lin SH. Lectin-Magnetic Beads for Plasma Membrane Isolation. Cold Spring Harb Protoc. 2015;2015(7):674-8.
• Ko SM, Cho SY, Oh MJ, Kwon J, Vaidya B, Kim D. Application of Concanavalin A-Linked Magnetic Beads for the Detection of Hepatitis A Virus. J Food Prot. 2018;81(12):1997-2002.