While the specificity of this lectin is unclear, MAL II appears to bind only to specific carbohydrate structures containing sialic acid. Unlike the Sambucus nigra lectin (SNA), which appears to prefer the (alpha-2,6) binding structure of sialic acid, MAL II appears to bind sialic acid with (alpha-2,3) bonds. The tissue staining patterns of MAL I, SNA and MAL II are also very different.
For research use only, not for clinical use.