Distribution of lectin receptors in postimplantation mouse embryos at 6-8 days gestation.
We have examined the pattern of binding of eleven lectins--BSL-II, WGA, LPA, Con A, DBA, SBA, LTA, UEA-I, MPA, PNA, and RCA-I, with specificity for a range of saccharides, to postimplantation mouse embryos from 6 to 8 days of gestation. The lectins were used to stain sections of ethanol-fixed paraffin-embedded and formaldehyde-fixed gelatin-embedded embryonic material. Our observations reveal a complex pattern of lectin binding to both cell surfaces and cytoplasm. Many of the lectins bind particularly to the outer surface of visceral endoderm (e.g., DBA, WGA, SBA, and RCA-I) and to the surface of the proamniotic cavity (e.g., RCA-I, PNA, and WGA). In the newly formed mesenchyme of primitive-streak-stage embryos, galactose and N-Ac-neuraminic acid are present but lectins with specificity for other sugars either did not bind to the cells or bound only in small amounts.
D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D051379:Mice / Q000196:embryology; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D011975:Receptors, Mitogen