This lectin binds oligomers of N-acetylglucosamine and some bacterial cell wall oligosaccharides containing N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid. Although the carbohydrate binding specificity is similar to wheat germ agglutinin and Datura stramonium lectin, several differences have been reported for potato lectin.
Biotinylated Solanum tuberosum lectin has an appropriate number of biotins bound to provide the optimum staining characteristics for this lectin. This conjugate is supplied essentially free of unconjugated biotins and is preserved with sodium azide.