Abstract: It is intended to provide lectins and a lectin library comprising these lectins which are useful in recognizing differences in carbohydrates on cell surface (for example, sugar chains and cell surface glycoproteins) reflecting extremely subtle differences among cells, etc. and thus distinguishing, identifying or fractionating various cells.

Abstract: It is expected that lectins of a needed number of types appropriately corresponding the variation of sugar chains, if available, are highly useful as tools for analyzing various sugar chains. From a lectin library containing plural types of lectins or an arbitrary mass of lectins containing plural types of lectins, lectins needed for analyzing sugar chains are selected to thereby construct a lectin sub-library. Using the lectin sub-library thus constructed, cells having sugar chains are identified. Moreover, an indication method whereby cells can be conveniently identified is provided.

Abstract: It is intended to provide lectins and a lectin library comprising these lectins which are useful in recognizing differences in carbohydrates on cell surface (for example, sugar chains and cell surface glycoproteins) reflecting extremely subtle differences among cells, etc. and thus distinguishing, identifying or fractionating various cells.

Abstract: It is expected that lectins of a needed number of types appropriately corresponding the variation of sugar chains, if available, are highly useful as tools for analyzing various sugar chains. From a lectin library containing plural types of lectins or an arbitrary mass of lectins containing plural types of lectins, lectins needed for analyzing sugar chains are selected to thereby construct a lectin sub-library. Using the lectin sub-library thus constructed, cells having sugar chains are identified. Moreover, an indication method whereby cells can be conveniently identified is provided.

Abstract: A solid phase substrate which yields soluble labeled products upon hydrolysis by a glycosaminoglycan endoglycosidase and methods of producing said substrate are comprised in the present invention. The solid phase substrate comprises glycosaminoglycan bearing labeled substances bound to amino groups. The labeled glycosaminoglycan substrate is reductively aminated at its reducing terminal end to produce an amine-terminus. The substrate is further coupled to an amino-reactive solid matrix through its amine-terminus.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for impeding the formation of tumor metastasis or tumor invasiveness in a host. Such inhibition comprises administration to the host of a glycosaminoglycan derivative substantially devoid of anticoagulation activity and is an effective inhibitory of heparanase activity. Such a glycosaminoglycan derivative may be provided by purchase or synthesis as directed herein. Parenteral administration to a tumor-bearing host of the glycosaminoglycan derivative results in the exposure of host-borne tumor cells thereto. Such exposure to effective levels of the derivative results in the inhibition of tumor heparanase activity and a lessening of invasiveness and metastatic spread.Heparin, a glycosaminoglycan particularly effective as a heparanase inhibitor and an anti-clotting agent, is a preferred glycosaminoglycan for derivatization.

Abstract: A solid phase substrate which yields soluble labeled products upon hydrolysis by a glycosaminoglycan endoglycosidase and methods of producing said substrate are comprised in the present invention. The solid phase substrate comprises glycosaminoglycan bearing labeled substances bound to amino groups. The labeled glycosaminoglycan substrate is reductively aminated at its reducing terminal end to produce an amine-terminus. The substrate is further coupled to an amino-reactive solid matrix through its amine-terminus.