Galactosides and sialylgalactosides in O-linked oligosaccharides of the primordial germ cells in Xenopus embryos

The primordial germ cells (PGCs) are covered by surface glycoconjugates; some of them, like galactose residues recognized by peanut agglutinin (PNA), have been reported to be implicated in the PGC migration process. The aim of this work was the characterization of galactosides and sialylgalactosides in N- and O-linked oligosaccharides of Xenopus PGCs. Galactose(Gal)- and sialic acid(Neu5Ac)-binding lectin cytochemistry, in combination with chemical and enzymatic deglycosylation methods, were used. PGCs were slightly labeled with PNA, RCA-I and BSI-B₄, which suggests the presence of the sequences Gal(1,4)GlcNAc and Gal(1,3)Gal. Moreover, there was no labeling when -elimination pre-treatment was performed, suggesting that galactosides were in O-linked oligosaccharides. The strong staining with DSA was probably due to GlcNAc. Furthermore, sialylgalactosides with the sequence Neu5Ac(2,3)Gal(1,4)GlcNAc in O-linked oligosaccharides have been shown by means of MAA, PNA and RCA-I.