Abstract
Lectins belong to a class of proteins or glycoproteins able to bind carbohydrates. The study reported here describes the identification of lectin-binding sites in the adult rat brain. The results indicate that among the 31 lectins utilized, eight show a specific positive reaction with neurons. Staining was also observed with other cerebral structures such as myelin, leptomeninges, choroid plexus and capillaries. Lectins are, therefore, an important histochemical tool and can be easily and reliably used for the identification of cells and cerebral structures in the adult rat brain.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- Gal:
-
galactose
- Fuc:
-
fucose
- Man:
-
mannose
- GalNAc:
-
N-acetylgalactosamine
- GlcNAc:
-
N-acetylglucosamine
- NeuNAc:
-
sialic acid
References
Barondes SH (1988)TIBS 13: 480–82.
Barondes SH (1986) InThe lectins: properties, functions and applications in biology and medicine (Liener IE, Sharon N, Goldstein IJ, eds) pp. 437–46. New York: Academic Press.
Caron M, Joubert-Caron R, Bladier D (1994) InGlycobiology and the brain (Nicolini M and Zatta P, eds) pp. 3–18. Oxford: Pergamon Press.
Alroy J, Goyal V, Skutelsky E (1987)Histochem 19: 225–29.
Wisniewski KE, Maslinska D (1990)Acta Neuropathol (Berl)80: 274–79.
Zatta PF, Zanoni S, Favarato M (1994) InGlycobiology and the Brain (Nicolini M and Zatta P, eds) pp. 141–53. Oxford: Pergamon Press.
Herken R, Sander B, Hofmann M (1990)Histochem 94: 525–30.
Sharawy MM, Linatoc AJ, O'Dell NL, Pennington CB, Larke VB, Gulati AK (1991)Histochem J 23: 132–42.
Zatta P, Zambenedetti P, Masiero S (1994)Neurotoxicol 15: 789–98.
Barber PC (1989)Neurosc 30: 1–9.
Fatehi MI, Gerhart DZ, Myers TG, Drewes LR (1987)Brain Res 415: 30–39.
Tyler NK, Burns MS (1991)Current Eye Res 10: 801–10.
Antal M, Petko M (1990)J Histochem Cytochem 38: 1913–17.
Kuchler S, Zanetta J-P, Zaepfel M, Badache A, Sarlieve LL, Gumpel M, Baumann N, Vincendon G (1990)Develop Neurosc 12: 382–97.
Ponder BA, Wilkinson MM (1983)Develop Biol 96: 535–41.
Zatta P, Zambenedetti P, Marturano B, Palumbo M, Nicolini M (1995)J Neuron Transm 102: 113–23.
Pearse AGE (1972)Histochemistry Theoretical and applied. Edinburgh, London: Churchill-Livingstone.
Hart GW, Haltiwanger RS, Holt GD, Kelly WG (1989)Ann Rev Biochem 58: 841–74.
Gerhart DZ, Zlonis MS, Drewers LR (1986)J Histochem Cytochem 34: 641–48.
Hagiwara K, Collet-Cassart D, Varman J-P, Masson PL (1988) InLectins. Biology, Biochemistry, Clinical Biochemistry (Boeg-Hansen TC, Feed DJL, eds) vol. 6, pp. 505–10. St Louis, MO: Sigma Chemical Co.
Vorbrodt AW, Dobrogowska DH, Lossinsky AS, Wisniewski HM (1986)J Histochem Cytochem 34: 251–61.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zambenedetti, P., Giordano, R. & Zatta, P. Identification of lectin binding sites in the rat brain. Glycoconjugate J 13, 341–346 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00731465
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00731465