Histochemical characterization of the lectin-binding sites in the equine vomeronasal organ.
The binding specificities of various lectins, such as the Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), and the Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-1 (Isolectin B4), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I) lectins, were studied in the vomeronasal organ of the horse. The microvilli of the vomeronasal sensory epithelium were positive for DBA, SBA, Isolectin B4, WGA, PNA, and UEA-I. The receptor cells showed intense reactivity for DBA and WGA. Lectins were not detected in the supporting cells or basal cells. The Jacobson's glands were positive for WGA and UEA-I, but lectins were absent from the nerve bundles. From these results, we postulate that several lectin-binding carbohydrates on the microvilli and neurosensory cells are associated with chemoreception in the horse. In addition, the differential lectin-binding patterns in the horse suggest that the carbohydrates present in this particular sense organ are species-specific.
Lee
Jee-young
JY
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cheju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea.
Kang
Tae-young
TY
Lee
Yong-duk
YD
Shin
Tae-kyun
TK
D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D006736:Horses / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011485:Protein Binding; D019147:Vomeronasal Organ / Q000378:metabolism*
D037102:Lectins