Variations in lectin localization in different parts of the bovine heart.

In order to study the distribution of endogenous sugar-binding proteins (lectins) in various areas of the adult bovine heart, we used a battery of biotinylated neoglycoproteins. These tools expose carrier-immobilized carbohydrate moieties as ligands for receptor detection. Characteristic staining patterns depending on the type of carbohydrate ligand were observed in all constituents examined. Comparison to data obtained for lectin distribution in the respective areas of the human heart indicate that the localization of certain types of endogenous sugar receptors can exhibit species-dependent variations.