A histochemical study of the distribution of lectin binding sites in the developing oocytes of the lancelet Branchiostoma belcheri

Abstract

The distribution of carbohydrate moieties in lancelet (Branchiostoma belcheri) oocytes has been studied at different stages of development, using a peroxidase-labeled lectin incubation technique, the PAS-reaction and Alcian Blue staining. Binding sites of 5 lectins, indicating the presence of different sugar moieties (Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) for N-acetylglucosamine, Concanavalin A (Con A) for glucose/mannose, Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) for N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA-I) for galactose and Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA-I) for fucose), were identified and were shown to undergo considerable variation during oocyte development. In the previtellogenic stage, HPA, RCA-I and UEA-I were not identified on the oocyte surface, but WGA and Con A gave strongly positive reactions at this site. In the cytoplasm, 4 lectins (Con A, HPA, RCA-I and UEA-I) gave a weak or moderate reaction, and Con A was also observed in the perinuclear region. In vitellogenic oocytes, these 4 lectins were found to also bind to the nuclear envelope, karyoplasm and nucleolus, and, with the exception of Con A, could also be found in the nuclei of more mature stages. The cytoplasmic yolk granules and Golgi vesicles of the vitellogenic oocyte, were moderately positive for Con A, HPA, RCA-I and UEA-I, but HPA, RCA-I and UEA-I were only weakly bound at the oocyte surface. In mature oocytes, all 5 lectins bound moderately or strongly to yolk granules and cell surface. HPA, RCA-I and UEA-I bound moderately or strongly to various nuclear compartments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Embryonic Stem Cell Markers

“…Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that recognize diverse sugar structures and have been extensively used to identify and characterize cell surface glycosylation patterns [ 181 ]. Studies of lectins have led to the delineation of embryologic developmental stages in some species, and lectins have been used to investigate and identify cell types based on the presentation of specific cell surface carbohydrates [ 182 , 183 , 184 , 185 ]. Many developmentally regulated glycans identified as lectin receptors in mouse ESC are displayed on cell surfaces at the preimplantation and implantation stages of development [ 186 ].…”

Lectin‐binding pattern of the senegalese sole Solea senegalensis oogenesis

“…However, the expression of nuclear glycoconjugates seems to be involved in cell differentiation (Stoddart,1979) as well as in chromatin production (Krzeslak and Lipinska,2002) and in the constitution of RNA polymerase transcription factors (Varki et al,1999). Interestingly, in vitellogenic and mature oocytes moderate binding of Con A, HPA, RCA I, and UEA I, can be recognized in the nuclear envelope, nucleolus and nucleoplasm of the lancelet, Branchiostoma belcheri (Fang and Welsh,1995), and in tunicate oocytes (Welsch and Schumacher,1986). These findings have been related with gonadotropin, polypeptide, and steroid secretions (Fang and Welsh,1995).…”

Glycoconjugate profiles of the lancelet (Branchiostoma lanceolatum) ovary: a lectin histochemical study by laser confocal microscopy

“…To our knowledge only one paper has been published on the presence and distribution of glycoconjugates in the lancelet (Fang & Welsch, 1995). In this study, the distribution of binding sites of several lectins was studied during oocyte maturation, with particular emphasis on nuclear and perinuclear material.…”

“…Various organelles related to vitellogenesis have been described (Wang & Wang, 1987). Carbohydrate components and their distribution during oocyte development have also been described in these animals (Fang & Welsch, 1995). Carbohydrate components and their distribution during oocyte development have also been described in these animals (Fang & Welsch, 1995).…”