title: Lectin detection of carbohydrates in the endolymphatic sac.
abstract: The carbohydrate contents of the guinea pig endolymphatic sac were investigated by the use of lectins. The lumen of the endolymphatic sac was filled with stainable precipitate containing N-acetyl glucosamine, mannose, glucose, galactose and fucose. N-Acetyl galactosamine was also detected but in minute amounts. This composition corresponded to other areas in the inner ear, such as the cupula, the otolithic membrane and the tectorial membrane. The function of these carbohydrates may play an important role in preventing the lumen of the endolymphatic sac from collapsing as well as in regulating transepithelial fluid transport.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takumida
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barbara
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bagger-Sjöbäck
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rask-Andersen
mesh_terms: D000116:Acetylgalactosamine / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis*; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000032:analysis*; D004710:Endolymph / Q000032:analysis; D004712:Endolymphatic Sac / Q000032:analysis*; D005643:Fucose / Q000032:analysis; D005690:Galactose / Q000032:analysis; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000032:analysis; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008358:Mannose / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D037102:Lectins; D005643:Fucose; D005947:Glucose; D000116:Acetylgalactosamine; D005944:Glucosamine; D008358:Mannose; D005690:Galactose