title: WGA lectin binding sites of the apical surface of corti epithelium: enhancement by back-scattered electron imaging in guinea-pig inner ear.
abstract: The apical surface of the guinea-pig organ of Corti was examined with SEM after WGA-lectin histochemistry which has a binding specificity for sialic acid and N-acetyl-glucosamine. The contrast of colloidal gold markers were particularly enhanced by back-scattered electron imaging. WGA lectin showed remarkable preference for the microvilli as well as flat surface areas in the supporting cells. Stereociliary surfaces and interstereociliary connections of the sensory hair cell were strongly labelled, whilst only rarely the markers were found in the flat areas of the apical surface of the hair cell. The connections, which are known to be involved in the initiation of the mechanoelectrical transduction, should consist of sialic acid and/or N-acetyl-glucosamine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Katori
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tonosaki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takasaka
mesh_terms: D000117:Acetylglucosamine / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D004583:Electrons; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D008871:Microvilli / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012794:Sialic Acids; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; D000117:Acetylglucosamine