title: Distinct binding patterns of fucose-specific lectins from Biomphalaria alexandrina and Lotus tetragonolobus to murine lymphocyte subsets.
abstract: The putative expression of distinct terminally fucosylated glycoconjugates among murine lymphocyte subpopulations was sought using a Biomphalaria alexandrina-derived lectin (BaSI), of proven specificity to a fucosyllactose determinant, and the fucose-binding lectin from Lotus tetragonolobus seeds. Direct labeling of isolated lymphocyte subsets in suspension as well as immuno-histochemical and two-dimensional Western blotting assays demonstrated the exclusive expression of the BaSI-reactive ligand among multiple isoforms of two major 95 and 92 kDa and a minor 82 kDa acidic glycoproteins, selectively localized to the splenic marginal zone B lymphocytes of adult mice. The expression of the L. tetragonolobus lectin-reactive ligand was, on the other hand, restricted primarily to a single homogeneous 50 kDa acidic glycoprotein associated with a subset of the mature (PNA-) medullary thymocytes of adult mice as well as a minority of the immature (PNA +) thymocytes within the deep cortical region in newly born mice. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to mechanisms that govern lymphocyte development and homing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, PO Box 5969, Safat 13060, Kuwait. mhesham4@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mohamed H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Mansour
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abdul-Salam
authors.forename: Tahany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Al-Shemary
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000276:immunology; D005643:Fucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D037102:Lectins / Q000276:immunology*; D000070116:Lotus / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D037102:Lectins; C027112:fucose-binding lectin; D005643:Fucose