The Japanese cedar pollen allergen (Cry j1) and the mountain cedar pollen allergen (Jun a1) are glycosylated
with plant complex type N-glycans bearing Lewis a epitope(s) (Galb1-3[Fuca1-4]GlcNAc-). The
biological significance of Lewis a type plant N-glycans and their effects on the human immune system
remain to be elucidated. Since a substantial amount of such plant specific N-glycans are required to
evaluate immunological activity, we have searched for good plant-glycan sources to characterize Lewis a
epitope-containing plant N-glycans. In this study, we have found that three water plants, Elodea nuttallii,
Egeria densa, and Ceratophyllum demersum, produce glycoproteins bearing Lewis a units. Structural
analysis of the N-glycans revealed that almost all glycoproteins expressed in these three water plants
predominantly carry plant complex type N-glycans including the Lewis a type, suggesting that these
water plants are good sources for preparation of Lewis a type plant N-glycans in substantial amounts