Colonic mucus in human fetal development.
The labelling behaviour of specimens of human fetal colon at different stages of development was examined using eight fluorescently labelled lectins with preferences for different carbohydrate structures. Peanut agglutinin (PNA) binding can be demonstrated in specimens from fetal colons between the 4th and 5th week and the 5th and 6th lunar month. Since CEA may bind to similar structures as PNA, an answer was sought to the question whether these structures are in fact identical. While there is evidence in favour of non-identity, it is not entirely conclusive. PNA-binding to fetal tissues is of interest since PNA binds to adult transformed colonic tissues, but not to normal ones.
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D003106:Colon / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D002241:Carbohydrates; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D006023:Glycoproteins; D037102:Lectins