Post-translational modification of the beta-subunit of the human fibronectin receptor

Monoclonal antibody DH12, directed against the beta-subunit of the fibronectin receptor recognizes a doublet of proteins (100 and 110 kDa) in Western blots of solubilized whole fibroblasts. Pulse-chase experiments with [35S]methionine in human skin fibroblasts suggested that the two proteins might be metabolically related as precursor (100 kDa) and product (110 kDa). Endo H digestion and [3H]fucose labeling suggested that maturation converted the high-mannose oligosaccharides (100 kDa) to the endoglycosidase H resistant complex type (110 kDa). This was supported by N-glycanase digestion and by chemical deglycosylation which showed a single polypeptide. Surface iodination of intact cells labeled only the presumed mature beta-subunit.     

Partial characterization of the oligosaccharides of mouse thymocyte Thy-1 glycoprotein.

Four glycopeptides (I, IIA, IIB, III) with different oligosaccharide structures were isolated from purified mouse thymocyte Thy-1 glycoprotein. The glycoprotein was digested with Pronase, and the glycopeptide fraction was isolated by gel filtration and acetylated with [3H]acetic anhydride. The different glycan structures were separated by affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B and lentil lectin-Sepharose 4B. Size determinations of intact and exoglycosidase- and endoglycosidase-digested glycopeptides were performed by gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-6, calibrated with glycopeptides of known structure. On the basis of these experiments and on the behaviour of the glycopeptides on the lectin columns, the following structures of the oligosaccharide chains were proposed: I, triantennary 'complex-type' with terminal fucose; IIA, biantennary 'complex-type' without fucose; IIB, biantennary 'complex-type' with fucose; III, a mixture of 'high-mannose' chains containing either five or six mannose residues (approx. 50% of each). Amino acid analysis of the glycopeptides showed that the predominant oligosaccharide at glycosylation-site Asn-23 was of 'high-mannose' type, whereas the other two sites (Asn-75 and Asn-99) were glycosylated with 'complex-type' chains. Both these sites were shown to be variably glycosylated. The major glycans linked to Asn-75 were of structures I and IIB, whereas all three 'complex-type' chains were represented at Asn-99. The results presented explain the previously reported carbohydrate heterogeneity of thymocyte Thy-1 glycoprotein.     

alpha-D-galactose-bearing glycoproteins on the surface of stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages. Biochemical and immunochemical characterization of purified glycoproteins.

Two glycoproteins were isolated from lysates of thioglycollate-stimulated, murine peritoneal macrophages by affinity chromatography on immobilized Griffonia simplicifolia I lectin and by preparative SDS/PAGE. The glycoproteins were readily labeled on the surface of intact macrophages with 3H and 125I. The labeled glycoproteins migrated as broad bands of molecular mass 92-109 kDa and 115-125 kDa. The mobility of the glycoproteins decreased only slightly after reduction with dithiothreitol, indicating the absence of intersubunit disulfide bridges. The 92-kDa and 115-kDa glycoproteins had pI 5.2-5.4 and pI less than or equal to 4, respectively. Digestion of both glycoproteins with alpha-galactosidase released 23% of their 3H content and abolished their ability to bind to the G. simplicifolia I lectin, showing that they contain terminal alpha-D-galactosyl groups. After reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol, each glycoprotein fraction was sensitive to N-glycanase; the 115-kDa glycoproteins produced a smear with the front at approximately 67 kDa, whereas the 92-kDa glycoprotein gave two bands of 61 kDa and 75 kDa. Unreduced glycoproteins were insensitive to N-glycanase, suggesting the presence of intramolecular disulfide bonds. Although each glycoprotein fraction was sensitive to endoglycosidase H, this enzyme produced only slight changes in molecular mass when compared with N-glycanase. From these results as well as from the specificity of the enzymes involved, it is concluded that each glycoprotein fraction contains complex-type oligosaccharides and a small amount of high-mannose and/or hybrid-type oligosaccharides. While each glycoprotein fraction was bound to Datura stramonium lectin, they failed to react with anti-[i-(Den)] serum and their digestion with endo-beta-galactosidase did not cause a band shift in SDS/PAGE. Taken together, these results suggest the presence of N-acetyllactosamine units which are not arrayed in linear form but occur as single units, bound either to C2 and C6, or to C2 and C4, or both, of outer mannosyl residues on complex-type oligosaccharides. The glycoprotein(s) fraction precipitated with anti-[I (Step)] serum, suggesting the presence of branched lactosaminoglycans. Digestion of both glycoprotein fractions with a mixture of sialidase and O-glycanase did not alter their mobility in SDS/PAGE, suggesting a lack or low content of O-linked trisaccharides and tetrasaccharides. Each glycoprotein fraction was bound specifically to Sambucus nigra and Maackia amurensis immobilized lectins, indicating the presence of sialic acid linked alpha 2,6 to subterminal D-galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine residues, and alpha 2,3 to N-acetyllactosamine residues, respectively.     

The amino-acid sequence of a lectin from conger eel, Conger myriaster, skin mucus.

The amino-acid sequence of a beta-galactoside-binding lectin isolated from the skin mucus of the conger eel Conger myriaster was determined. The lectin (30 kDa) was composed of two identical subunits of 135 amino acid residues with N-acetylserine at the N-terminus and no half-cystinyl residue. It was a 30-34% sequence identical to vertebrate beta-galactoside-binding lectin and proved to be a member of the S-type lectin family.     

Complete primary structure of a galactose-specific lectin from the venom of the rattlesnake Crotalus atrox. Homologies with Ca2(+)-dependent-type lectins

The complete primary structure of a galactose-specific lectin contained in the venom of the rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox, was determined. The lectin is composed of two covalently linked, identical subunits, each consisting of 135 amino acid residues. Under physiological conditions the lectin proved to be highly aggregated. The venom lectin contained 9 half-cystines, 8 of which formed four intrasubunit disulfide bridges (Cys3-Cys14, Cys31-Cys131, Cys38-Cys133, and Cys106-Cys123), while Cys86 was involved in an intersubunit disulfide bridge. Because of the high content of disulfide bridges, the intact lectin was extremely resistant to tryptic digestion. The determined amino acid sequence was found to be homologous with those of the so-called carbohydrate recognition domains of Ca2(+)-dependent-type lectins in animal. Among them, 8 amino acid residues (Cys31, Gly69, Trp92, Pro97, Cys106, Asp120, Cys123, and Cys131) were completely conserved. Leu40, Trp67, and Trp81 were also well conserved. The rattlesnake venom lectin showed high hemagglutinating activity. These results, together with the occurrence of similar lectins in crotalid venoms, suggest that these lectins have evolved in order to make the venom a more effective weapon to capture prey animals.     

Primary structure of the ovine pituitary follitropin beta-subunit.

The complete amino acids sequence of the ovine pituitary follitropin beta-subunit was established by studying the tryptic, chymotryptic and thermolytic peptides. The N-terminal sequence of the subunit was confirmed by subjecting the oxidated protein to Edman degradation in an automated sequenator. Automated Edman degradation of the reduced and alkylated (with iodo [14C]acetamide) beta-subunit indicated that most of the molecules used in the sequence studies had lost the N-terminal serine residue. This also confirmed the location of the first five half-cystine residues in the sequence. The proposed structure shows the presence of 111 amino acid residues with the two oligosaccharide moieties linked to asparagine residues located at positions 6 and 23. Heterogeneity occurs at both the termini of the polypeptide chain. Comparison of the sequence of beta-subunit of the ovine hormone with that proposed for human follitropin beta-subunit shows the absence of any deletions in the middle of the peptide chain. Of the 13 replacements, 11 residues can be explained on the basis of a single base change in the codon. The single tryptophan residue of the follitropin occupies an identical position in all the four species that have been studied. The region corresponding to residues 63-105 of the ovine beta-subunit is highly conserved in all the species.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors on AR42J rat pancreatic acinar cells.

VIP receptors on AR42J rat pancreatic cells were analyzed by competition binding, affinity labeling and by N-glycanase digestion analyses. These studies revealed the presence of specific, high affinity (Kd approximately 1 nM) VIP receptors with a mass of 67 kDa or 59 kDa under reducing or non-reducing conditions, respectively. N-glycanase digestion of affinity labeled membranes generated a core receptor protein of approximately 44 kDa and evidence for at least two N-linked glycans on the mature receptor. The receptor lacked O-linked oligosaccharides but contained terminal sialic acid residues on its N-linked glycan(s) based on digestions with O-glycanase and neuraminidase. The similarity of the AR42J VIP receptor to the recently cloned cDNA for human VIP receptors makes this cell line an attractive model for further analysis of VIP receptor signal transduction events.     

Biosynthesis of a variant surface glycoprotein of Trypanosoma brucei. Processing of the glycolipid membrane anchor and N-linked oligosaccharides

The variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) of the ILTat 1.3 variant of Trypanosoma brucei has two asparagine-linked glycan moieties, as well as a phosphatidylinositol glycan membrane anchor. We have investigated the structure and processing of each of these oligosaccharides through analysis of the intact protein and of glycopeptides. Processing has been examined by comparing glycan structures purified from an immature intracellular form (58 kDa) of VSG with those of the mature form (59 kDa) found on the parasite surface. We find exclusively high mannose oligosaccharides (Man4-7-GlcNAc2) at Asn-432 in both the immature 58-kDa and mature 59-kDa forms. In contrast, the "core" oligosaccharide of Asn-419 (Man3-GlcNAc2) appears to be nearly quantitatively processed to a complex biantennary structure [Gal-GlcNAc-Man)2-Man-GlcNAc2) during VSG maturation. The asparagine-linked structures at Asn-419, but not those at Asn-432, are resistant to endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H within 30 s of biosynthesis. This suggests possible novel and selective mechanisms for glycosylation in African trypanosomes. Finally, we show that the carboxyl-terminal glycolipid is galactosylated (3-4 residues) relatively late in VSG biosynthesis. Phosphatidylinositol glycans have been identified on a growing number of eukaryotic membrane proteins. This report provides a direct demonstration of the processing of such a glycolipid anchor following its attachment to protein.     

Isolation and characterization of an N-acetylgalactosamine specific lectin from Salvia sclarea seeds

Crude extracts from Salvia sclarea seeds were known to contain a lectin which specifically agglutinates Tn erythrocytes (Bird, G. W. G., and Wingham, G. (1974) Vox Sang. 26, 163-166). We have purified the lectin to homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography. The agglutinin was found to be a glycoprotein of Mr = 50,000, composed of two identical subunits of Mr = 35,000 linked together by disulfide bonds. The purified lectin agglutinates specifically Tn erythrocytes and, at higher concentrations, also Cad erythrocytes. Native A, B, or O red blood cells are not agglutinated by the lectin and, even after treatment with sialidase or papain, these cells are not recognized. Tn red cells present 1.45 X 10(6) accessible sites to the lectin which binds to these erythrocytes with an association constant of 1.8 X 10(6) M-1. On Cad red cells, 1.73 X 10(6) sites are accessible to the lectin which binds with an association constant of 1.0 X 10(6) M-1. The carbohydrate specificity of the S. sclarea lectin has been determined in detail, using well defined monosaccharide, oligosaccharide, and glycopeptide structures. The lectin was found to be specific for terminal N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) residues. It binds preferentially alpha GalNAc determinants either linked to Ser or Thr (as in Tn structures) or linked in 1-3 to a beta GalNAc or to an unsubstituted beta Gal. Although more weakly, the lectin binds beta GalNAc residues linked in 1-4 to a beta Gal (as in Cad structures). It does not recognize beta GalNAc determinants linked in 1-3 to a Gal (as in globoside) or the alpha GalNAc residues of blood group A structures.     

Studies on phytohemagglutinins. XXVII. A study of the pea lectin binding site.

Under defined mild conditions the reaction of the pea lectin with 2-nitrophenylsulfenyl chloride results in sulfenylation of only 2 of the 10 tryptophan residues of the lectin molecule with simultaneous loss of biological activity. Both sulfenylated tryptophan residues belong to the two heavy subunits of the lectin. Enzymic hydrolysis and separation of the tryptic peptides yields only one homogeneous yellow peptide containing the modified tryptophan residue. The isolated peptide has the following sequence (NPS, nitrophenylsulfenyl): HAsp-Val-Val-Pro-Glu-(2-NPS-Trp)-Val-ArgOH. The octapeptide is either directly a part of the pea lectin binding site or it plays an important role in maintaining the tertiary structure of the binding site. According to the amino acid composition and amino acid sequence, the octapeptide isolated from the pea lectin is almost identical with that part of the peptide chain of concanavalin A near to which the location of the sugar binding site is supposed to be.     

All three potential N-glycosylation sites of the dog kidney (Na+ + K+)-ATPase beta-subunit contain oligosaccharide

The beta-subunit of dog kidney (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is a sialoglycoprotein and contains three potential N-glycosylation sites. In this study, the oligosaccharide chains of purified dog kidney beta-subunit were labeled with tritium by oxidation with sodium periodate or galactose oxidase followed by NaB3H4 reduction. The beta-subunit was extensively digested by trypsin and the radioactive peptides were purified by HPLC. The enzyme, glycopeptidase A, which catalyzes the removal of N-linked oligosaccharide chains and the conversion of the glycosylated Asn residue to Asp, was used to demonstrate that a number of purified beta-subunit tryptic peptides were glycosylated. Amino-acid analysis of these beta-subunit peptides following glycopeptidase-A treatment revealed the expected Asn to Asp conversion for Asn-157, Asn-192 and Asn-264, demonstrating that all three potential N-glycosylation sites of the dog kidney beta-subunit are glycosylated. In addition, amino-acid sequence data suggest that a disulfide bond exists between Cys-158 and Cys-174.     

Oligosaccharide units of lysosomal cathepsin D from porcine spleen. Amino acid sequence and carbohydrate structure of the glycopeptides

The amino acid sequences near the glycosylation sites and the oligosaccharide structures have been determined for the lysosomal protease cathepsin D from porcine spleen. Cathepsin D light and heavy chains were separately digested with proteases and the glycopeptides were purified. A single sequence was constructed from the amino acid sequence of the light chain glycopeptides which is: Tyr-Asn-Ser-Gly-Lys-Ser-Ser-Thr-Tyr-Val-Lys-Asn(CH2O)-Gly-Thr-Thr-Phe. A single glycopeptide sequence was also obtained for the heavy chain: Lys-Gly-Ser-Leu-Asp-Tyr-His-Asn(CH2O)-Val-Thr-Arg-Lys-Ala-Tyr. The light chain sequence is homologous with the sequence of porcine pepsin from residues 56 to 71. The heavy chain sequence is homologous with the pepsin sequence from residues 176 to 189. Thus, the 2 oligosaccharide-linked asparagines in cathepsin D correspond to residues 67 and 183 in pepsin and other homologous aspartyl proteases. These positions are located on the surface of the crystal structures of aspartyl proteases. Five oligosaccharides linked to Asn-67 were separated and their structures determined with proton NMR. Four major oligosaccharides are structural variants from the high mannose-type having 3, 5, 6, and 7 mannoses, respectively. A minor structure contained a third GlcNAc. Three oligosaccharide structures were found linked to Asn-183. Two major oligosaccharides are of the high mannose-type each with 5 mannose residues. One of the two contains a fucose linked to a GlcNAc. A third, very minor oligosaccharide contains galactose.     

Orientation of the beta subunit polypeptide of (Na+ + K+)ATPase in the cell membrane

Although the animal cell (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is composed of two polypeptide subunits, alpha and beta, very little is known about the beta subunit. In order to obtain information about the structure of this polypeptide, the beta subunit has been investigated using proteolytic fragmentation, chemical modification of carbohydrate residues, and immunoblot analysis. The sialic acid moieties on the oligosaccharide groups on the beta subunit of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase were labeled with NaB3H4 after oxidation by sodium periodate, or the penultimate galactose residues on the oligosaccharides were similarly labeled after removal of sialic acid with neuraminidase and oxidation by galactose oxidase. All of the carbohydrate residues of the protein are located on regions of the beta subunit that are found on the non-cytoplasmic surface of the membrane. Cleavage of the galactose oxidase-treated, NaB3H4-labeled beta subunit by chymotrypsin at an extracellular site produced labeled fragments of 40 and 18 kDa, indicating multiple glycosylation sites along the polypeptide. Neither the 40 kDa fragment nor the 18 kDa fragment was released from the membrane by chymotrypsin digestion alone, but after cleavage the 40 kDa fragment could be removed from the membrane by treatment with 0.1 M NaOH. This indicates that the 40 kDa fragment does not span the lipid bilayer. The 40 kDa fragment and the 18 kDa fragment are also linked by at least one disulfide bond. The 18 kDa fragment also contains all of the binding sites found on the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase for anti-beta subunit antibodies. Both the 40 kDa fragment and the 18 kDa fragment were also generated using papain or trypsin to cleave the beta subunit. These data indicate that the beta subunit of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase contains multiple sites of glycosylation, that it inserts into the cell membrane near only one end of the polypeptide, and that one region of the polypeptide is particularly sensitive to proteolytic cleavage relative to the rest of the polypeptide.     

Amino acid sequence of the monomer subunit of the extracellular hemoglobin of Lumbricus terrestris

The giant extracellular hemoglobin (3,800 kDa) of the oligochaete Lumbricus terrestris consists of four subunits: a monomer (chain I), two subunits each of about 35 kDa (chains V and VI), and a disulfide-bonded trimer (50 kDa) of chains II, III, and IV. The complete amino acid sequence of chain I was determined: it consists of 142 amino acid residues and has a molecular weight of 16,750 including a heme group. Fifty-nine residues (42%) were found to be identical with those in the corresponding positions in Lumbricus chain II (Garlick, R. L., and Riggs, A. F. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 9005-9015); 45 (32%), 56 (40%), 44 (31%), and 45 (32%) residues were found to be in identical positions in the sequences of chains I, IIA, IIB, and IIC, respectively, of Tylorrhynchus heterochaetus hemoglobin (Suzuki, T., and Gotoh, T. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 9257-9267). When the sequences of all six annelid chains are compared, 18 invariant residues are found in the first 104 residues of the molecule; very little homology exists among the annelid chains in the carboxyl-terminal 38-residue region. Nine of the 18 invariant residues are also found in the human beta-globin chain.     

Affinity purification, physicochemical and immunological characterization of a galactose-specific lectin from the seeds of Dolichos lablab (Indian lablab beans)

A galactose-specific lectin has earlier been isolated from the seeds of Dolichos lablab in our laboratory by conventional protein purification methods. We now established conditions to bind the lectin on Sepharose-galactose gel in the presence of 1.5 M ammonium sulfate in Tris-buffered saline, pH 7.4. It can be specifically eluted with 0.3 M galactose. The purified lectin is a glycoprotein, binds to Con A, agglutinates erythrocytes, and has an apparent native molecular weight of 120 +/- 5 kDa. In SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, it dissociates into two subunits of molecular mass (Mr) 31 and 29 kDa. Among a number of sugars tested for inhibitory activity of the lectin, galactose was found to be a potent inhibitor. Rabbit polyclonal antibody to the purified lectin specifically reacted with the lectin subunits in Western blot analysis and additionally, an antibody raised to the isolated 31 kDa subunit show reactivity with both the subunits. Amino terminal sequences of both the subunits are identical. The purified lectin is stable up to 40 degrees C with a pH optimum of 7.4. The lectin has a high content of acidic amino acids and lacks sulfur-containing amino acids. Chemical modification of the lectin with group-specific reagents indicates the possible role of histidine, lysine, and tyrosine residues in lectin activity.     

Characterization of the trimeric, self-recognizing Geodia cydonium lectin I

A D-galactose-specific lectin I was extracted from the sponge Geodia cydonium and purified by affinity chromatography. The molecular weight of lectin I as determined by high-pressure liquid gel chromatography, was found to be 36500 +/- 1300. Disc gel electrophoresis in the presence and in the absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate showed that lectin I is a trimer composed of three different subunits (Mr: 13800, 13000 and 12200); two of the three subunits are linked by one disulfide bond. Isoelectric focusing gave a pI of 5.6 for the native molecule and a pI of 4.4 and of 7.4 for the subunits. The three subunits carry carbohydrate side chains, composed of D-galactose (94%) and of arabinose (5%). Based on experiments with lectins, the terminal D-galactose residues are bound by beta 1 leads to 6 and/or beta 1 leads to 4 glycosidic linkages. The Geodia lectin I contains, besides two carbohydrate recognition sites, at least one receptor site for a second lectin I molecule.     

Tissue-specific N-glycosylation, site-specific oligosaccharide patterns and lentil lectin recognition of rat Thy-1.

To examine the extent to which protein structure and tissue-type influence glycosylation, we have determined the oligosaccharide structures at each of the three glycosylation sites (Asn-23, 74 and 98) of the cell surface glycoprotein Thy-1 isolated from rat brain and thymus. The results show that there is tissue-specificity of glycosylation and that superimposed on this is a significant degree of site-specificity. On the basis of the site distribution of oligosaccharides, we find that no Thy-1 molecules are in common between the two tissues despite the amino acid sequences being identical. We suggest, therefore, that by controlling N-glycosylation a tissue creates an unique set of glycoforms (same polypeptide but with oligosaccharides that differ either in sequence or disposition). The structures at each of the three sites were also determined for the thymocyte Thy-1 that binds to lentil lectin (Thy-1 L+) and for that which does not (Thy-1 L-). Segregation of intact thymus Thy-1 into two distinct sets of glycoforms by lentil lectin was found to be due to the structures at site 74. Analysis of oligosaccharide structures at the 'passenger' sites (23 and 98) suggests that either Thy-1 L+ and Thy-1 L- molecules are made in different cell-types or that the biosynthesis of oligosaccharides at one site is influenced by the glycosylation at other sites.     

大黑花芸豆凝集素的分离纯化及温度、pH、色氨酸修饰对其活性的影响

大黑花芸豆(Phaseolus multiflorus.Wiud)种子经匀浆、浸取、硫酸铵分级沉淀、阴离子交换层析(DEAE-Sepharose)、阳离子交换层析(CM-Sepharose)和Sepllacryl S-200分子筛层析得到凝集素样品(PML).经SDS-PAGE检测为一分子量约为28k的单一条带,Sephacryl S-100凝胶过滤测得其表观分子量约为56 kD表明PML是由两个相同亚基组成的蛋白.温度低于60℃时,PML较为稳定,当温度达80℃时,其凝血活性完全丧失;pH为5.6～9对活性影响不大,pH为12时,活性大部分丧失;高温和强碱对荧光光谱有较大影响.NBS修饰Trp结果表明,在天然状态下有3个色氨酸分子被修饰,其中第二和第三个色氨酸分子对其活性至关重要.     

7-Deoxyloganin 7-hydroxylase in Lonicera japonica cell cultures

A lectin was isolated from the mushroom Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii by means of affinity chromatography on bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM)-Toyopearl and gel filtration on Superose 12 HR10/30 using a FPLC system. This lectin is composed of four identical 16 kDa subunits and the molecular mass of the intact lectin was estimated to be 64 kDa by gel filtration. In a hemagglutination inhibition assay, it exhibited strong sugar-binding specificity towards asialo-BSM among the mono- or oligo-saccharides and glycoproteins tested. The binding specificity of the lectin was also examined by surface plasmon resonance analysis.     

Cytochemical characterization of glycoproteins in the developing acrosome of rats. An ultrastructural study using lectin histochemistry, enzymes and chemical deglycosylation.

The composition and distribution of rat acrosomal glycoproteins during spermiogenesis have been investigated at light and electron microscopic level by means of a variety of morphological techniques including the application of lectins conjugated to peroxidase, digoxigenin and colloidal gold, enzyme and chemical deglycosylation procedures and conventional histochemistry. Results obtained with lectin histochemistry in combination with beta-elimination reaction and endoglucosaminidase F/peptide N-glycosidase F digestion suggest that glycoproteins of mature acrosomes contain both N- and O-linked oligosaccharides. N-linked chains of acrosomal glycoproteins contain mannose and external residues of N-acetylglucosamine and galactose. They also have fucose residues linked to the core region of the oligosaccharide side chains. O-linked oligosaccharide chains contain external residues of both galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine. Mannose, fucose, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine residues were detected in acrosomes at all steps of spermiogenesis. N-acetylgalactosamine residues were only observed in the late steps of the spermiogenesis. N-acetylneuraminic acid residues were not detected throughout the acrosomal development. At initial stages of acrosome formation, glycoproteins were preferentially distributed over the acrosomic granules. In cap phase spermatids, lectin binding sites were homogeneously distributed throughout the acrosomes; however, in mature spermatozoa, glycoproteins were predominantly located over the outer acrosomal membrane.