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Glycoconjugate histochemistry of the prostate gland in the pig.

In the porcine prostate, glycoconjugates elaborated and released by the glandular cells have been studied by means of a series of histochemical methods of light microscopy. The employed methods included several routine procedures in combination with digestion by carbohydrate-degrading enzymes and peroxidase-labelled lectin diaminobenzidine procedures. In the glandular tissues, the particular glycoconjugates were shown to be secretory glycoproteins which contained vicinal diol, sulphate, and carboxyl groups and were provided with different saccharide residues such as alpha-D-mannose, alpha-D-glucose, lactose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, beta-D-galactose, alpha-L-fucose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and N-acetyl-neuraminic acid. These glycoconjugates were, likewise, found to exhibit positive reaction for proteins. The present histochemical results have been discussed with special reference to the histophysiological functions performed by the prostate gland in the pig.

Animals↗

Distribution of glycoconjugates in human skin appendages.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the occurrence and distribution of glycoconjugates in normal human epidermis and skin appendages (pilosebaceous unit, eccrine sweat gland) by means of FITC-labelled lectins (ConA, WGA, UEA I). Both the outer hair root and the follicular ostium-epithel disclosed a glycoconjugate expression with close homology to interfollicular epidermis. The acinar epithelium of sebaceous glands and the inner layers of hair follicles showed a more or less distinct staining pattern. Lectin binding of eccrine sweat glands revealed marked differences between ducts and secretory coils. The epithelial distribution of glycoconjugates indicates a relatively independent differentiation pathway of eccrine sweat glands compared with other specialized epithelia of the human skin.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Glycoconjugates in small antral ovarian follicles of the river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis L.).

Types and distribution patterns of glycoconjugates in antral ovarian follicles were investigated in the buffalo, using periodic-acid Schiff (PAS), high iron diamine (HID), low ion diamine (LID) and lectin histochemical staining methods. HID and LID staining procedures were preceded in some cases by digestion with testicular hyaluronidase, Streptomyces hyaluronidase, chondroitinase ABC and heparitinase (heparinase III). Lectin staining was performed with the use of 12 horseradish peroxidase (HRP) lectin conjugates. Some lectin staining procedures were preceded by neuraminidase digestion and saponification. Large amounts of isomeric chondroitin sulphates and a minor quantity of heparan sulphate and hyaluronic acid and/or chondroitin were found in follicular fluid. Lectin staining of buffalo follicular fluid revealed glycoconjugates with different glucidic determinants such as beta-N-acetylgalactosamine, beta-galactose-(1-3)-N-acetylgalactosamine, beta-galactose-(1-4)-N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, alpha-fucose and alpha-glucose/alpha-mannose, and sialic acid residues. Glycosaminoglycans were absent in the zona pellucida of oocytes in small antral follicles. Acidic glycoconjugates in the zona pellucida were caused by sulphated groups and sialic acid residues. Our data show few internal glucidic residues, such as N-acetylglucosamine in the buffalo zona pellucida but many subterminal beta-N-acetylgalactosamine, alpha- and beta-galactose determinants masked by sialic acids. These findings demonstrate that buffalo follicular fluid has a very heterogeneous composition that is similar to that found in small and large bovine follicles. No differences in composition of the follicular fluid were observed in the follicles examined.

Animals↗

Characterization of drusen-associated glycoconjugates.

BACKGROUND: Drusen are extracellular deposits that accumulate between the basal lamina of the retinal pigment epithelium and the elastic lamina of Bruch membrane in aging human eyes. Although specific types of drusen are recognized as significant risk factors for the development of both the atrophic and exudative forms of age-related macular degeneration, few studies have focused on defining their molecular composition. As an initial step toward identifying the molecular composition of drusen, assessing the biochemical relation between hard and soft drusen, and identifying potential target molecules for detecting drusen clinically, the authors have analyzed their carbohydrate composition using lectin histochemistry. METHODS: Sections of eyes from human donors containing a spectrum of hard and soft drusen were screened with a battery of 22 fluorescein-conjugated lectins. RESULTS: A specific subset of six lectins bind drusen intensely. No significant differences in lectin binding are observed between any subclass of hard and soft drusen. Some drusen exhibit homogeneous, uniform labeling, whereas others show asymmetrical, heterogeneous distribution of glycoconjugates. CONCLUSION: This study shows that glycoconjugates containing specific carbohydrate residues are present in all classes of hard and soft drusen examined. The observation that hard and soft drusen are bound by the same lectins suggests that they may be related compositionally. Identification of the drusen-associated glycoconjugates shown in this investigation will facilitate studies of drusen genesis and their involvement in the pathogenesis of age-related maculopathy. They may also provide a basis for developing avenues of therapeutic intervention.

Aged↗

Maclura pomifera agglutinin-binding glycoconjugates on converted apatite from synthetic octacalcium phosphate implanted into subperiosteal region of mouse calvaria.

We have previously shown that the mineral in granules of synthetic octacalcium phosphate (OCP) implanted subperiosteally in mouse calvariae was converted to apatitic crystals and that the OCP implantation stimulated bone formation. The matrix components accumulated on the converted apatite were very similar to those of bone nodules (starting locus of calcification) in intramembranous osteogenesis. In the present study, the nature of the matrices accumulated on OCP implants in calvariae was compared with that of the matrices accumulated in abdominal subcutaneous implants. The comparison was facilitated by the use of Maclura pomifera agglutinin (MPA) lectin which is known to have a high affinity for the primary intramembranous bone matrix. Micro-beam x-ray diffraction indicated conversion of the implanted OCP to apatitic crystals in situ, both in subperiosteal and subcutaneous sites, after 10 days. Additional bone formation was detected on the converted apatite after 13 days in subperiosteal implantation, whereas bone was not formed in the subcutaneous implantation. MPA reaction was strongly manifested after 10 days in matrices accumulated on the converted apatite in both subperiosteal and subcutaneous implantations. Biochemical data showed that intensely and weakly MPA-blotted molecules (53.0 and 152.6 kDa, respectively) were in all the mouse sera, in the guanidine HCl-EDTA extracts of mouse calvarial bone and in the extracts of the implanted OCP in both subperiosteal and subcutaneous sites. These findings indicated that the glycoconjugates accumulated on the converted apatite from OCP were similar to the glycoconjugates in the serum in terms of reactivity with MPA and molecular weights. Furthermore, the results suggest that MPA-binding glycoconjugates which had accumulated on the converted apatite may be a requisite for the differentiation of mesenchymal cells into osteoblasts in periosteum but not in subcutaneous sites.

Animals↗

Glycoconjugated hypocrellin: synthesis of [(beta-D-glucosyl)ethylthiyl]hypocrellins and photosensitized generation of singlet oxygen.

In order to improve the water solubility and specific affinity for malignant tumors of hypocrellin, glycoconjugated hypocrellins have been synthesized using an improved Königs-Knörr reaction from mercaptoethanol substituted hypocrellin B and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide precursors. Deprotection of glucose moieties allows the production of derivatives which had improved solubility in neutral aqueous solution and covered a range of amphiphilic character. The structures of these new protected and unprotected compounds were characterized by UV-Vis, IR, 1H-NMR and MS data. The present strategy should prove applicable to the synthesis of other glycoconjugated perylenequinone compounds. In addition, the quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation photosensitized by these glycoconjugated hypocrellins has been determined.

Glycoconjugates↗

Oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates in bovine milk and colostrum.

Oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates are some of the most important bioactive components in milk. A great deal of information is available on the biological function of the components from human milk. Their primary role seems to be in providing protection against pathogens by acting as competitive inhibitors for the binding sites on the epithelial surfaces of the intestine. Evidence is also available to support the role of some of these components as growth promoters for genera of beneficial microflora in the colon. Compared with human milk, levels of oligosaccharides in bovine milk are very low. Nevertheless, a number of neutral and acidic oligosaccharides have been isolated from bovine milk and characterised. The highest concentration of these molecules is found in early postparturition milk (colostrum). The chemical structure of the oligosaccharides and many of the glycoconjugates from bovine milk are similar to those in human milk. It is likely that bovine oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates can be used in milk products as bioactive components in human nutrition.

Animals↗

The expulsion of Echinostoma trivolvis from C3H mice: differences in glycoconjugates in mouse versus hamster small intestinal mucosa during infection.

Mucosal glycoconjugates were examined in C3H mice and in hamster small intestines infected with Echinostoma trivolvis and in uninfected rodents, using periodic-acid Schiff (PAS) and high-iron diamine-alcian blue (HID-AB) staining and three different fluorescein-conjugated lectins: Triticum vulgaris agglutinin (WGA), Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) and Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin (GSA-II). Lectin-labelling by electron microscopy was also undertaken with WGA and HPA lectin-gold probes. HID-AB stain demonstrated that the most mature goblet cells of the mouse villi contain sulfomucins, whereas those of hamsters contain sialomucins. The expression of lectin-binding sites and the intensity of the lectin binding in the small intestines were changed by echinostome infection. Specific differences in the reaction to mucin glycoproteins were clearly observed between the mouse and hamster intestines infected with E. trivolvis; lectin-binding to hyperplastic goblet cells and crypts in the infected mice increased, while no marked increase in the number of goblet cells and reaction to the glycoconjugates were observed in the infected hamsters. These findings indicate that the expression of terminal N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, sialic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine increased in mucins secreted from hyperplastic goblet cells associated with E. trivolvis infection in mice. No marked increase in these glycoconjugates occurred in hamster infections. These findings reflect clear differences in infectivity of E. trivolvis in C3H mice versus hamsters.

Animals↗

Glycoconjugates in the human fetal endolymphatic sac as detected by lectins.

The distribution of glycoconjugates in the 11 to 16 weeks old human fetal endolymphatic sac (ES) was analyzed using six biotinylated lectins; Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Abrus precatorius agglutinin (APA), Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I), Ricinus communis agglutinin 120 (RCA120), Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA), Concanavalin A (ConA). In the 11 week old human fetus, fluorescent reactions with WGA, APA, RCA120 and ConA were detected in the ES. There was almost no reaction with HPA and UEA-I. In the 14 week old human fetus, however fluorescent reactions with HPA and UEA-I appeared. This result suggests that the presence of glycoconjugates changes during the maturation process of the ES. Glycoconjugates detected with HPA were related to the epithelial cell elements of the ES epithelium. The reaction with UEA-I suggests that the stainable substance present in the ES lumen may be secreted locally by the ES itself.

Concanavalin A↗

Glycoconjugate expression during early mouse oculogenesis.

The carbohydrate side-chain of glycoconjugates can show a developmentally regulated expression pattern. In order to analyse these changes during the development of the eye, 13 lectins were used to reveal glycoconjugates histochemically in 8.5- to 14-day-old mouse embryos. During this period, eyes develop from the most immature vesiculation of the neural plate neuroepithelium into a primitive stage with all structures present, such as pigment epithelium, not yet differentiated neuroretina and lens. A striking diversity of carbohydrate side-chain expression was observed in the preocular somatoectoderm and neural plate of 8.5-day-old embryos, as indicated by the binding of nine different lectins. Binding sites at the apical poles of neuroepithelium of five of these lectins (PNA, LCA, SBA, LPA and GSA-II) disappeared completely during further development. The binding sites of four other lectins, WGA, MPA, Con A and BPA, remained expressed during the course of development, being indicative for the carbohydrate side-chains beta-GlcNAc(1-4)Gluc, alpha-Gal(1-3)GalNAc, alpha-D-Man/alpha-D-Gluc and alpha-GalNAc. In contrast, binding sites for GSA-I, RCA-I (alpha-D-Gal), UEA-I (alpha-L-Fuc) and DBA (alpha-GalNAc(1-3)GalNAc) were not present at any developmental stage. The time point of gross changes of lectin binding sites correlates well with the period of neural tube formation. During later development from neuroectoderm to the ocular pigment epithelium, a sharp reduction in all lectin binding sites at the apical cell poles, except for WGA and MPA, was observed. WGA binding sites were present until embryonic day 10, while those for MPA were present until day 9. At the basal cell poles of the pigment epithelium, all lectin binding sites except for WGA were lost after embryonic day 11.5. These results indicate that there are sophisticated kinetics of glycoconjugate expression during the course of early embryonic development of ectoderm into its descendent tissues.

Animals↗

Interaction of cholera toxin and Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin with glycoconjugates from rabbit intestinal brush border membranes: relationship with ABH blood group determinants.

The capacity of cholera toxin (CT) and type I heat-labile enterotoxin produced by Escherichia coli isolated from human intestine (LTh) to interact with glycoconjugates bearing ABH blood group determinants from rabbit intestinal brush border membranes (BBM) was studied. On the basis of the type of intestinal compounds related to the human ABH blood group antigens, rabbits were classified as AB or H. Toxin binding to the intestinal glycolipids and glycoproteins depends on the blood group determinant borne by the glycoconjugate and on the analyzed toxin. LTh was capable of interacting preferentially with several blood group A- and B-active BBM glycolipids compared to those isolated from animals lacking these antigens (H rabbits). Also, LTh preferably bound to several BBM glycoproteins from AB rabbit intestines compared to those from H ones. One of these glycoproteins, the sucrase-isomaltase complex (EC 3.2.1.48-10) isolated from AB and H rabbits showed the same differential LTh binding. Conversely, CT practically did not recognize either blood group A-, B-, or H-active glycolipids and glycoproteins. These results may be relevant for carrying out in vivo experiments in rabbits in order to disclose the role of ABH active-glycoconjugates in the secretory response induced by LTh in rabbit intestine.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Heterogeneity in olfactory neurons in mouse revealed by differential expression of glycoconjugates.

Cell surface glycoconjugates have been implicated in the growth and guidance of subpopulations of primary olfactory axons. While subpopulations of primary olfactory neurons have been identified by differential expression of carbohydrates in the rat there are few reports of similar subpopulations in the mouse. We have examined the spatiotemporal expression pattern of glycoconjugates recognized by the lectin from Wisteria floribunda (WFA) in the mouse olfactory system. In the developing olfactory neuroepithelium lining the nasal cavity, WFA stained a subpopulation of primary olfactory neurons and the fascicles of axons projecting to the target tissue, the olfactory bulb. Within the developing olfactory bulb, WFA stained the synaptic neuropil of the glomerular and external plexiform layers. In adults, strong expression of WFA ligands was observed in second-order olfactory neurons as well as in neurons in several higher order olfactory processing centres in the brain. Similar, although distinct, staining of neurons in the olfactory pathway was detected with Dolichos biflorus agglutinin. These results demonstrate that unique subpopulations of olfactory neurons are chemically coded by the expression of glycoconjugates. The conserved expression of these carbohydrates across species suggests they play an important role in the functional organization of this region of the nervous system.

Animals↗

Glycoconjugate histochemistry in the duodenum of fetal and adult fallow deer.

This work aimed to characterize the complex carbohydrates in the duodenum of fetal and adult fallow deer. The proximal parts of the duodenum were removed from the intestine of 12- and 16-week-old fetuses and of adult fallow deer. Sections were assessed by conventional carbohydrate histochemistry combined with glycosidase digestions and treatment with KOH. During development, there was an increase in the acid carboxylated components of the glycoconjugates in goblet cells, while the duodenal glands expressed high quantities of sulphated glycoconjugates at the beginning of development but, in the adult. mainly secreted neutral and carboxylated glycoconjugates containing sialic acid. Sulphated components, probably represented by chondroitin sulphate B-like and heparan sulphate-like glycosaminoglycans may play a role in the morphofunctional differentiation of the duodenum.

Animals↗

Localisation of sulphated glycoconjugates during hyaline layer formation in rat molars by ultrastructural cytochemistry.

In order to study the presence of sulphated glycoconjugates in the first mineralised layer juxtaposed to the root dentine (the hyaline layer), we have examined the early stages of molar root development by ultrastructural cytochemistry using Cuprolinic Blue combined with enzymatic pretreatment. Upper molars from 10 to 13 day-old Wistar rats were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde containing 0.05% Cuprolinic Blue in 25 mM sodium acetate, pH 5.6, containing 0.3 M MgCl2. Some specimens were previously treated with heparitinase or chondroitinase ABC. Our results showed sulphated glycoconjugate--Cuprolinic Blue complexes that appeared as electron opaque ribbon-like deposits in the unmineralised hyaline layer. Few complexes were detected adjacent to the dentinal surface. These complexes were removed by heparitinase, indicating that they contained heparan sulphate chains. In contrast, the complexes found in unmineralised cementum and root dentine were removed by chondroitinase, indicating that they contained chondroitin or dermatan sulphate chains. The complexes decreased after the initiation of mineralisation of hyaline layer and root dentine and they were no longer present in stages of fully mineralisation. We conclude that the hyaline layer only contains sulphated glycoconjugates prior to mineralisation, and that they may play a role in the regulation of the mineralisation.

Animals↗

Short report: erythrocyte membranes from a patient with congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia type I (CDA-I) show identical, although less pronounced, glycoconjugate abnormalities to those from patients with CDA-II (HEMPAS).

Congenital dyserythropoietic anaemias (CDAs) are rare hereditary disorders characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis and multinuclearity of erythroblasts. Three main types of the disease have been described. Glycoconjugate abnormalities in erythrocyte membrane glycoconjugates, consisting of hypoglycosylation of band 3 and accumulation of certain glycosphingolipids including lactotriaosylceramide, neolactotriaosylceramide and polyglycosylceramides, have been described only in patients with CDA type II (CDA-II). We report on identical, although less pronounced, abnormalities in erythrocyte glycoconjugates from a patient with CDA-I. A low degree of hypoglycosylation of band 3 in our patient with CDA-I suggests that hypoglycosylation is not a cause, but, most probably, a consequence of dyserythropoiesis.

Anemia, Dyserythropoietic, Congenital↗

Association of histochemical expression of Maackia amurensis leukoagglutinin-positive glycoconjugates with behaviour of human gastric cancer.

AIMS: To investigate the relationship between sialylation of glycoconjugates and clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sialylation of glycoconjugates was examined histochemically in 71 gastric cancers using Maackia amurensis leukoagglutinin (MAL), a lectin that recognizes the trisaccharide sequence NeuAc alpha 2,3Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc/Glc. Positive staining with MAL was observed in the tumour region of all of the samples, but the populations of MAL-positive tumour cells in the tumour region varied among the samples. In the corresponding non-cancerous regions, however, no positive staining was observed. Calculating the percentage of MAL-positive tumour cells as part of the total tumour cells with respect to the MAL-staining index (MI) allowed the gastric cancer to be classified into two distinct groups: high and low levels of MI, with a cut-off level of 40% of MI. Furthermore, statistical analyses using the MI level and clinicopathological characteristics of the tumour indicated that a high MI level in gastric tumour tissues is related to a poorer prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The appearance of MAL-positive glycoconjugates in gastric tumour cells is associated with the behaviour of gastric cancer.

Adult↗

Structural elucidation of polysaccharide part of glycoconjugate from Treponema medium ATCC 700293.

Glycoconjugates are distributed on the cell surfaces of some small-sized treponemes and have been reported to be completely different from lipopolysaccharides. We separated a glycoconjugate fraction from Treponema medium ATCC 700293, a medium-sized oral spirochete, to assess its immunobiological activities and elucidate the chemical structure of its polysaccharide part using phenol/water extraction, hydrophobic chromatography, and gel filtration. The glycoconjugate showed negligible or weak endotoxic and immunobiological properties. The chemical structure of the polysaccharide part was shown by two-dimensional NMR and MALDI-TOF-MS to be a tetrasaccharide backbone with two amino acids: [-->4)beta-d-GlcpNAc3NAcA(1-->4)beta-d-ManpNAc3NAOrn(1-->3)beta-d-GlcpNAc(1-->3)alpha-D-Fucp4NAsp(1-->] where GlcNAc3NAcA is 2,3-diacetamido-2,3-dideoxyglucuronic acid, ManNAc3NAOrn is Ndelta-(2-acetamido-3-amino-2,3-dideoxymannuronyl)ornithine, and Fuc4NAsp is 4-(alpha-aspartyl)amino-4,6-dideoxygalactose.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

Immunohistochemical localisation of amelogenin-like proteins and type I collagen and histochemical demonstration of sulphated glycoconjugates in developing enameloid and enamel matrices of the larval urodele (Triturus pyrrhogaster) teeth.

The presence of collagen in enameloid distinguishes it clearly from true enamel, but little is known about the phylogenetic relationship between these 2 tissues. It has previously been reported that amelogenins are the principal proteins of the enamel matrix, that type I collagen and chondroitin sulphates are the predominant matrices in dentine, and that amphibian and reptilian aprismatic enamels, contain no sulphated glycoconjugates, although certain sulphated substances are secreted into mammalian prismatic enamel during matrix formation. The larval urodele (Triturus pyrrhogaster) teeth are known to be composed of enameloid, dentine, and enamel-like tissue. To characterise the tooth matrices, the localisation of amelogenin-like proteins, type I collagen, and sulphated glycoconjugates was investigated. Chondroitin sulphates and fine fibrils immunoreactive for type I collagen were elaborated as the enameloid matrix inside the dental basement membrane. After the matrix had been deposited in full thickness, coarse collagen fibrils also immunoreactive for type I collagen and chondroitin sulphates were deposited below as the first dentine matrix. Further, enamel-like matrix with no collagen fibrils or sulphated glycoconjugates but strongly immunoreactive for amelogenins was deposited on the dentine. Although no immunolabelling for amelogenins was found over the enameloid matrix, at least at the formation stage, the zone of coarse collagen fibrils of dentine was partially immunoreactive as observed in mammalian mantle dentine. From the ontogeny and matrix constituents of larval urodele teeth, it is suggested that enameloid is originally a dentine-like tissue.

Amelogenesis↗