A histochemical study of the distribution of lectin binding sites in the developing oocytes of the lancelet Branchiostoma belcheri

The distribution of carbohydrate moieties in lancelet (Branchiostoma belcheri) oocytes has been studied at different stages of development, using a peroxidase-labeled lectin incubation technique, the PAS-reaction and Alcian Blue staining. Binding sites of 5 lectins, indicating the presence of different sugar moieties (Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) for N-acetylglucosamine, Concanavalin A (Con A) for glucose/mannose, Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) for N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA-I) for galactose and Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA-I) for fucose), were identified and were shown to undergo considerable variation during oocyte development. In the previtellogenic stage, HPA, RCA-I and UEA-I were not identified on the oocyte surface, but WGA and Con A gave strongly positive reactions at this site. In the cytoplasm, 4 lectins (Con A, HPA, RCA-I and UEA-I) gave a weak or moderate reaction, and Con A was also observed in the perinuclear region. In vitellogenic oocytes, these 4 lectins were found to also bind to the nuclear envelope, karyoplasm and nucleolus, and, with the exception of Con A, could also be found in the nuclei of more mature stages. The cytoplasmic yolk granules and Golgi vesicles of the vitellogenic oocyte, were moderately positive for Con A, HPA, RCA-I and UEA-I, but HPA, RCA-I and UEA-I were only weakly bound at the oocyte surface. In mature oocytes, all 5 lectins bound moderately or strongly to yolk granules and cell surface. HPA, RCA-I and UEA-I bound moderately or strongly to various nuclear compartments. Thus, carbohydrate content varied with the development and maturation of the oocytes, and the PAS results were in agreement with the lectin-binding results. Charged carbohydrate residues were observed in the egg envelope and Golgi bodies.These results suggest that the appearence of Con A-, HPA-, RCA-I- and UEA-I-binding glycoconjugates in the nuclei of developing oocytes show a varying pattern indicating different phases of nuclear activity which correlate with different carbohydrate synthetic activities of the oocyte.     

Ultrastructure and function of follicle cell in the ovary ofBranchiostoma belcheri

The ultrastructure of follicle cells in the ovary at different developmental stages ofBranchiostoma has been observed in detail with a transmission electron microscope. The results indicate that only one kind of follicle cell exists with structural features related to steroid hormone biosynthesis: (i) oval or round mitochondria with tubules; (ii) smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum; (iii) several large lipid droplets in the cytoplasm; (iv) a well developed Golgi complex and tubular rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, as can be found in mammalian theca interna cells. In addition, as steroid hormone synthesizing cells, they obviously play an important role in the phagocytosis of relict gametes and cellular debris and may have a nutritive function for the oocytes. They can produce abundant secretory granules in stages III-IV ovaries. In mature ovaries they transform into flat epithelial cells with numerous microfilaments which may play a role in ovulation.     

神经肽Y和β—内啡肽样免疫阳性物质在文昌鱼神经系统和哈氏窝的分布

用免疫组织化学方法首次发现,神经肽Y（NPY）和β－内啡肽（β－Ep)样免疫阳性物质分布在文昌鱼神经系统和哈氏窝。NPY样免疫阳性神经元出现在端脑前部和中部、中脑前部和中部以及后脑,NPY样免疫阳性神经纤维在文昌鱼脑的各部分与神经元交错呈网状密集分布。神经管的背面与中部均可观察到NPY样免疫阳性神经元及其阳性性纤维。β－Ep样免疫阳性神经元及其神经纤维定位在中脑前部和中部以及神经管,且分布范围明显小于NPY。文昌鱼哈氏窝也有NPY和β－Ep样免疫阳性物质分布。这些结果表明,NPY和β－Ep可能作为脑内的一种神经递质,像鱼类那样,参与调节文昌鱼哈氏窝促性腺激素分泌细胞的分泌活动,这为文昌鱼脑－哈氏窝复合体的密切关系提供新的形态学证据。     

催乳素及其受体样免疫活性在文昌鱼神经系统、哈氏窝和其它组织的分布

用兔抗人催乳素多克隆抗体和鼠抗人催乳索受体单克隆抗体对文昌鱼神经系统、哈氏窝和其它组织进行免疫组织化学研究。结果显示:催乳素免疫活性细胞及催乳素受体定位在文昌鱼脑泡、神经管、哈氏窝、轮器、内柱、消化管和性腺(卵巢和精巢),表明催乳素在文昌鱼有广泛分布,并且从进化观点来看,证明催乳素是一种高度保守的古老激素。双重免疫染色进一步揭示催乳素及其受体免疫反应阳性物质共存于同一卵母细胞胞膜和胞质以及精巢中精原细胞、初级与次级精母细胞和Sertoli细胞。研究结果首次证明了文昌鱼脑泡和哈氏窝以及其它组织能够合成和分泌催乳素,表明像脊椎动物一样,催乳素可能参与调节文昌鱼体内代谢和对环境的适应以及性腺发育,提示文昌鱼可能出现原始的脑泡-哈氏窝(催乳素)-靶细胞调控轴的雏形。本研究为文昌鱼哈氏窝内分泌学以及催乳素的起源与演化提供新的基础资料。     

雌激素受体α和β亚型在文昌鱼神经系统、哈氏窝和性腺中的定位

用兔抗人ER-α和ER-β多克隆抗体对文昌鱼神经系统、轮器哈氏窝和性腺进行免疫细胞化学的定位研究。结果揭示幼年和成年两性不同发育时期文昌鱼在这些部位分布ER-α和ER-β蛋白。ER-α定位在端脑、中脑、后脑和神经管中大多数神经细胞核,少数在胞质及其突起和神经纤维,ER-β则定位在细胞质或细胞膜上,少数在核内。ER—α免疫阳性物质主要分布在哈氏窝下层的上皮细胞核,少数在上层细胞质,β受体则在上层细胞核。在性腺,ER-α分布在卵巢中卵原细胞和小生长期卵母细胞胞质与核仁,生发泡(核)显免疫阴性,在大生长期卵母细胞核膜和核仁的免疫阳性显著增强,成熟期则在卵细胞生发泡表达,ER-β免疫阳性物质分布在卵原细胞和早期卵母细胞质以及成熟卵细胞的卵被膜检测到,生发泡显免疫阴性。在精巢,这两种ER亚型均定位在精原细胞、初级与次级精母细胞和足细胞质,精子细胞在胞核,精子显免疫阴性。另外,双染结果还揭示ER-α和ER-β在上述部位多数共存于同一细胞,少数在不同细胞表达,且在细胞定位有不同。首次发现这两种雌激素受体亚型在文昌鱼有广泛分布,它们介导雌激素对文昌鱼神经内分泌组织的调节作用。α和β受体在靶细胞定位的不同,提示两者在介导雌激素信号路线和基因转录机制可能有不同生理作用。     

A lectin histochemical study of the oesophagus of shi drum

The saccharide composition of surface and secretion glycoconjugates in the oesophagus of Umbrina cirrosa was examined by means of lectin histochemistry. Mucous cells showed the presence of N‐acetylgalactosamine, N‐acetylglucosamine and sialic acid linked to the dimer galactosyl(β1→3) N‐acetylgalactosamine. Columnar epithelial cells had a positive reaction with almost all the lectins employed, located in the supranuclear region and in the cell coat. The presence of abundant and various glycoconjugates in the secretions of shi drum oesophagus was correlated to the absence of salivary glands in fishes in general.     

A histochemical study of the microglial cells in the brain of Salamandra salamandra by lectin binding.

Seven biotinylated lectins were utilized as histochemical markers for the study of microglial cells in the brain of Salamandra salamandra. It has been demonstrated that SBA, BSA-I, BSA-I-B4 and RCA120 label the microglial cells and, on the basis of the binding selectivity of the single lectins for specific carbohydrates, it was found that alpha-galactosyl residues are present in high density on the microglial membrane of S. salamandra. The reaction was localized not only to the ramified microglial cells, but also to other round cells without extensions, interpreted as ameboid microglial cells. The results show that lectin binding is a reliable molecular probe for identifying microglial cells in urodels.     

文昌鱼哈氏窝结构与功能研究进展

评述了最近20多年来,国内外学者用多种技术和方法证明文昌鱼哈氏窝能够分泌多种类似脊椎动物脑垂体激素,如促性腺激素、促甲状腺素、催产素和生长激素,为100多年前勒格罗（Legros）提出文昌鱼哈氏窝与脊椎动物脑垂体同源的推测提供了确凿可靠的证据,并进一步发现哈氏窝是调节文昌鱼性腺发育和成熟的内分泌中枢。     

A biological role of the carbohydrate moieties of laminin

The ways in which the carbohydrate moieties of laminin affect its cellular interactions have been examined by two different experimental approaches. In one approach, we used lectins in order to block specific carbohydrates on laminin which previously had been dried onto a plastic surface. We found that wheat germ agglutinin and Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin I blocked the binding of the neuron-like rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12. However, when concanavalin A was used cell binding was unaffected but neurite outgrowth was prevented, compared to controls, over a 24-h period. In the second approach we used unglycosylated laminin as a substratum on the plastic surface. We have developed a method for the purification of unglycosylated laminin from tunicamycin treated cultures of a mouse embryonal carcinoma derived cell line, M1536 B3, and have partially characterized the purified material. A mixture of unglycosylated and glycosylated laminin was selectively purified from the M1536 B3 cell lysate by an anti-EHS laminin monoclonal antibody immunoaffinity column. The unglycosylated laminin was separated from glycosylated laminin using G. simplicifolia lectin affinity chromatography. The lectins, wheat germ agglutinin, G. simplicifolia agglutinin I, and concanavalin A, did not bind to any of the subunits of unglycosylated laminin in Western blots. The unglycosylated laminin migrated as a single band in agarose-gel electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions indicating that it is a fully assembled and disulfide bonded molecule. Circular dichroism studies showed no differences between glycosylated and unglycosylated laminin, indicating similar molecular conformations. Western blots using antibodies specific for the A, B1, and B2 chains of laminin showed that unglycosylated laminin contained each of these subunits. We then performed cell binding and spreading or neurite outgrowth assays using unglycosylated laminin. A mouse melanoma cell line, B16 F1, bound to this laminin in the same numbers as to the control glycosylated laminin, but cell spreading was minimal. When this unglycosylated laminin was used as a substrate for PC12 cells neurite outgrowth was impaired; no effect was noted on the number of cells bound, compared to glycosylated laminin. We conclude from these results that once cells become bound to laminin the carbohydrate residues of that glycoprotein must be available to enable the cells to spread or to extend neurite processes.     

Investigations on the carbohydrate moieties of glycoprotein allergens

Many allergens are glycoproteins and their carbohydrate structure can contribute to the IgE reactivity. Therefore it is of great interest to study the carbohydrate structures of these particular antigens. Here, we present an overview of methods combining basic procedures in glycochemistry with various applications of electrophoresis that allow investigating single allergens in crude extracts. Various allergen extracts, e.g. from tomato, grass pollen and bacteria were analysed and the suitability of the tests are discussed.     

Glycoconjugates of the human trabecular meshwork: a lectin histochemical study

Summary Twelve specimens of resin-embedded human trabecular meshwork were probed with a panel of 21 biotinylated lectins, using an avidin-biotin peroxidase revealing system, in order to determine the normal pattern of saccharide expression in this tissue. High-mannose, intermediate and hybrid N-linked glycans, and complex N-linked bisected and non-bisected bi/tri-antennate glycans, as shown by the binding ofCanavalia ensiformis (ConA),Pisum sativum (PSA),Lens culinaris (LCA) agglutinins andPhaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin (ePHA), were strongly expressed by the canal of Schlemm endothelium and juxtacanalicular tissue, but less so by the corneoscleral meshwork. Highly branched complex glycans were not found, as there was no binding byPhaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin (1PHA). Sialyl residues, especially thoseα2,6-linked as demonstrated by strongSambucus nigra (SNA) lectin staining, were also abundant in this area.N-acetyllactosamine sequences and some O-linked glycans were present in the trabecular meshwork, as shown bySolanum tuberosum (STA),Datura stramonium (DSA), andJacalin (Jac) lectin binding, while fucose residues were not detected byTetragonolobus purpureas (LTA) orUlex europaeus-1 (UEA-1) agglutinins. These results indicate similarities with renal glomerular and vascular endothelium, although the lack of binding with UEA-1 agglutinin suggests differences which may relate to the specialized function of the trabecular meshwork. This study provides a baseline for comparative analysis of the glycans of human trabecular meshwork in pathological conditions such as primary open-angle glaucoma.     

Glycoconjugates of the normal human colorectum: a lectin histochemical study

Summary Previous studies of the normal human colorectum by lectin histochemistry have used a mixture of tissues, including those derived from colons harbouring neoplasia and inflammatory bowel diseases. In the current investigation, tissues from patients without either of these conditions have been examined with a wide panel of lectins, encompassing specificities directed against both N- and O-linked sequences, using an avidin peroxidase revealing system and evaluated with a semiquantitative scoring method. The results of binding of these lectins have been compared with those seen in the resection margins of (at least 5 cm away from) colorectal carcinomas. Consistent regional variations were noted between right- and left-sided colonie tissues, with more diverse glycan structures and a greater sialyl content in the distal colon. There was evidence of graduation of formation of oligosaccharide chains in developing crypts, possibly related to the maturation and expression of glycosyl transferases responsible for the incorporation of mannose residues of N-linked oligosaccharides and of N-acetylgalactosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. Comparison with previous reports has revealed some variations, possibly related to tissue fixation and processing and to lectin concentrations employed, which raises the question of standardization of methodologies in lectin histochemical investigations.     

A role for carbohydrate moieties in the immune response to malaria

Treatment of antigen prepared from asexual blood stages of the human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum with a mixture of glycosidases resulted in a reduction in the ability of the antigen to bind antibodies from immune human and monkey sera in an ELISA assay. Some of the epitopes in the parasite material were heat stable, protease resistant, and sensitive to glycosidases. Proteins of Mr 110,000 and 65,000 from parasitized RBC were shown to have reduced antigenicity in Western blots after glycosidase treatment. The carbohydrate side chains of parasite glycoproteins therefore make a contribution to the total antigenicity of the parasite.     

Structural studies on the carbohydrate moieties of human liver alpha-L-fucosidase

alpha-L-Fucosidase was purified from human liver to apparent homogeneity and subjected to exhaustive digestion with Pronase. The resulting glycopeptides were isolated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 and further fractionated by Bio-Gel P-4 chromatography. Five glycopeptide fractions were obtained. The structures of the carbohydrate portions of all glycopeptide components were fully characterized by a combination of 500-MHz 1H NMR spectroscopy and carbohydrate composition analysis. Fraction I contained disialyl diantennary glycopeptides of the N-acetyllactosamine type. Fractions II and III contained predominantly mono(sialyl-N-acetyllactosaminyl) diantennary glycopeptides with the NeuAc alpha(2----6)Gal beta(1----4)GlcNAc beta(1----2) branch attached to alpha(1----3)-linked Man in II and to alpha(1----6)-linked Man in III. The N-acetyllactosamine-type glycopeptides in fractions I to III have a small portion (10-15%) of their Asn-linked GlcNAc residues substituted by additional alpha(1----6)-linked Fuc. Also, a minor portion of the NeuAc residues appeared to be attached to Gal in alpha(2----3) rather than alpha(2----6) linkage. Fraction IV contained a mixture of larger-size oligomannoside-type glycopeptides with a variable number (6 to 9) of Man residues. Smaller-size oligomannoside-type glycopeptides were found in fraction V, containing 3 or 5 Man residues; a small portion (10%) of the Man3GlcNAc2Asn component appeared to contain in addition a Fuc residue in alpha(1----6) linkage to the Asn-bound GlcNAc. The overall ratio of oligomannoside-type to N-acetyllactosamine-type carbohydrate structures was found to be 5:4. This article is the first account of the complete characterization of the oligomannoside-type structures in alpha-L-fucosidase; furthermore, the occurrence in alpha-L-fucosidase of mono(sialyl-N-acetyllactosaminyl) structures, Fuc-containing oligosaccharides, and NeuAc alpha(2----3) linked to Gal are reported for the first time.     

Lectin histochemical identification of the carbohydrate moieties on N- and O-linked oligosaccharides in the duct cells of the testis of an amphibian urodele, the spanish newt (Pleurodeles waltl)

The aim of the present work was to study the carbohydrate moieties present on N- and O-linked oligosaccharides of duct cells of a urodele amphibian testis, by means of lectin histochemistry. It was found that duct cells have a carbohydrate composition that includes ensuremath (1,3)-, (1,4)- or (1,6)-linked Fuc and Man on N-linked oligosaccharides, Gal and GlcNAc on O-linked oligosaccharides, and DBA-positive GalNAc, (1,2)-linked Fuc and Neu5Ac(2,3)Gal (1,4)GlcNAc on both N- and O-linked oligosaccharides. All the duct cells showed the same lectin labelling pattern, the only exception being some sparse duct cells that showed the sequence Neu5Ac(2,6)Gal/GalNAc. The possible roles of duct cells in sperm maturation and the hypothesis for a common origin of duct and follicle (Sertoli) cells in the urodele testis are discussed.     

Mitogenic action of substance P on the epithelial cells of the tongue

Substance P (10 and 100 ng/ml) stimulates the proliferation of basal cells from rat's tongue epithelium in primary cultures with 2.5% fetal calf serum. In serum-free medium substance P have no effect on the epithelial cell growth. This neuropeptide secreted by afferent nerve fibers of the tongue epithelium is suggested to have a neurotrophic influence on epithelial cells controlling their proliferation.