97 research outputs found
Lectin histochemistry of the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands in rats
Tissue sections from rat submandibular and
sublingual glands were studied with lectin probes to
identify terminal sugars of the glycoconjugates in
various cell types of the salivary glands. The lectins used
in the study were Canavalia ensiformis (Con A),
Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Succinyl WGA (S-WGA)
Ricirzus communis I (RCA-I), Arachis hypogaea (PNA),
and Ulex europeaus (UEA-I). The cytoplasm and cell
membrane of both the serous and mucous acinar cells
present high similarity in the distribution of some sugar
residues, but differ considerably in the expression of
specific sugars which appear either in the serous or in
the mucous cells. The cytoplasm and cell membrane of
the serous and mucous acinar cells express Mannose
(Man) and Glucose (Glc), but lack Galactose (Gal), and
N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc). Fucose (Fuc) is
present only in the mucous acinar cytoplasm. The
moderate to intense binding of WGA to the acinar and
ductal cells and the lack of binding of S-WGA, indicate
the presence of sialic acid rather than N-acetylglucosamine
(GlcNAc). These sialic acid residues are
not associated with PNA-binding sugar sequences as
pretreatment with neuraminidase is not associated with
exposure of additional PNA receptors
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