title: Ulex europeus agglutinin I binds exclusively to primary olfactory neurons in the rat nervous system.
abstract: Lectin binding histochemistry was used to investigate the distribution of binding sites for the fucose-selective lectin Ulex europeus agglutinin I in the rat nervous system. It was found that this lectin bound exclusively to a surface membrane component, probably a glycoprotein, on primary olfactory and vomeronasal sensory neurons, and to no other structure in the nervous system. A similar pattern of Ulex europeus agglutinin I binding was found in adult, immature and embryonic rats. Binding was also demonstrated on olfactory axons regenerating through a peripheral nerve graft. Three other lectins, including another fucose-selective lectin, and the N-acetyl galactosamine-binding soybean lectin failed to show similar exclusive binding. The presence of a specific surface glycoconjugate solely on olfactory neurons suggests that the molecule may play some role in development or maintenance of organization of this neuronal pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Birmingham Medical School, U.K.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Barber
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000378:metabolism*; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009833:Olfactory Pathways; D037121:Plant Lectins; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; C036850:Ulex europaeus lectins