Carbohydrates of the vestibular end organs detected by lectins.
The presence of carbohydrates was investigated in the vestibular end organs of the guinea pig using FITC-lectins. The following sugars have been identified: N-acetyl-glucosamine, galactose, mannose and fucose. In contrast, N-acetyl-galactosamine was not clearly detected. These sugars were suggested to be closely related to the formation and maintenance of otoconia as well as of the cupula. N-acetyl-glucosamine was considered to be the major component of the glycocalyx and also suggested to have a function as an anchoring structure between the epithelial cell and the otolithic membrane or the cupula.
Takumida
M
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Karolinska Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Urquiza
R
R
Bagger-Sjöbäck
D
D
Wersäll
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis*; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D037102:Lectins; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000032:analysis*; D013861:Thiocyanates; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000032:analysis*
D002241:Carbohydrates; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D037102:Lectins; D013861:Thiocyanates; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate