Con A Sepharose is Concanavalin A coupled to Sepharose 4B by the cyanogen bromide method.

• Group-specific adsorbent for molecules containing sugars
• Con A coupled to Sepharose 4B via cyanogen bromide activation
• Highly suitable for isolation of cell surface glycoproteins from detergent-solubilized membranes
• Cyanogen bromide activation coupling method

Concanavalin A (Con A) is a tetrameric metalloprotein isolated from Canavalia ensiformis (jack bean). Con A binds molcules containing α-D-mannopyranosyl, α-D-glucopyranosyl and sterically related residues with available C-3, C-4, or C-5 hydroxyl groups. The binding sugar requires the presence of C-3, C-4 and C-5 hydroxyl groups for reaction with Con A. Con A coupled to Sepharose is routinely used for separation and purification of glycoproteins, polysaccharides and glycolipids. Chelating agents such as EDTA, 8 M urea or solutions having a pH below 3 should be avoided as these conditions results in removal of manganese from the lectin with loss of activity as a result.