Distribution of an endogenous 16-kd S-lac lectin in the chicken retina.
OBJECTIVE
To examine by indirect immunofluorescence the distribution of an endogenous 16-kd S-lac lectin (soluble lactose binding lectin) during development of the chicken retina.


METHODS
Cryosections of retinal tissue at different developmental stages and cultured retinal cells (either not permeabilized or permeabilized with acetone) were incubated with a rabbit antiserum that specifically reacts with the retinal 16-kd S-lac lectin. After incubation with a fluorescent-labeled secondary antibody, tissue sections and cultured cells were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy.


RESULTS
Retina was weakly stained with the antiserum on early embryonic day 7, whereas on embryonic days 13 and 18 it showed a restricted "granular" staining in the outer retina. At embryonic day 18, in addition, there was widespread staining in all retinal layers. This pattern was maintained by postnatal day 5 and in the adult retina, although the intensity of the staining of the outer retina was weaker. In retinal cell cultures, glial-like flat cells and monopolar, bipolar, and multipolar neurons were stained with the antiserum, but only if they had been previously permeabilized with acetone.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the distribution of a 16-kd S-lac lectin changes during retinal development. Cell culture experiments indicate that most often the lectin is localized intracellularly in the different retinal cell types.
Castagna
L F
LF
Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Argentina.
Landa
C A
CA
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002645:Chickens; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007785:Lactose / Q000378:metabolism*; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012160:Retina / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
D037102:Lectins; D007785:Lactose