On the possible role of endogenous lectins in early animal development

Abstract

In this review I have tried to summarize the information available on the lectins of developing embryos. The emerging evidence indicates that during fertilization carbohydrate-binding proteins play a role in sperm adhesion and in the reorganization of the extracellular matrix of the fertilized egg. Results also indicate that in adult tissues lectins participate in cell recognition and adhesion, and that several galactose-binding lectins function as receptors for laminin and, in principle could also interact with polylactosamine groups of other extracellular matrix glycoproteins. Since in developing embryos lectins are located at the cell surface, and colocalize with extracellular matrix glycoproteins, they could play a role in transitory adhesive interactions and in the segregation of organ primordia. On the basis of experiments in cultured cell lines, it has been suggested that lectins are involved in lysosomal and nuclear glycoprotein transport. These carbohydrate-binding proteins could also regulate development by modulating these processes in the embryo. Since galactose-binding lectins are mitogenic, and are present in high concentration in the chick yolk sac, these proteins could be released into the embryonic circulation, bind to cells expressing appropriate receptors, and act as growth regulators, by modulating cell division of specific cell lineages.

Changes in α(1–2)-Fucosyltransferase Activity in the Murine Endometrial Epithelium during the Estrous Cycle, Early Pregnancy, and after Ovariectomy and Hormone Replacement1

“…The tissue preparation was adjusted to 0.6 g/ml protein, and 20 l was added to the assay tube. Five Rzl of a fresh 1:20 dilution of the supplied GDP-[' 4 C]fucose in doubledistilled water was added to give a concentration of 0.425 nM. For standard incubations, 8 Il of a 200 mM stock of phenylgalactoside acceptor was added.…”

“…Cell surface glycoconjugates have been found to have a role in many cell adhesion processes, for instance, attachment of viruses and bacteria [1,2]; sponge cell adhesion [3]; adhesion of cells in the amphibian and early mammalian embryo [4][5][6]; and sperm-egg interactions [7]. Most recently, considerable evidence has accumulated for the role of lectin-carbohydrate binding in the interactions of leukocytes, in particular to the vascular endothelium during lymphocyte homing and before extravasation at sites of inflammation [8][9][10][11].…”

Galectin-1 and galectin-3 in fetal development of bovine respiratory and digestive tracts

“…To complete a recognition system based on the sugar code (Gabius 2000), endogenous lectins to decipher and translate the glycan messages are present in mammalian tissues (Harrison and Chesterton 1980;Barondes 1981;Gabius 1987Gabius , 1997Sharon and Lis 1989;Yoshizaki 1990;Zalik 1991;Rüdiger et al 2000; for collection of recent reviews, see Gabius and Gabius 1997;Gabius and Sinowatz 1998). Histochemically, their presence can readily be visualized by carrier-immobilized carbohydrate ligands, complementing popular studies on glycan profiling with plant and/or invertebrate lectins (Gabius et al 1993;Danguy 1995;Kannan and Nair 1997;Danguy et al 1998;Gabius 2001).…”

Galectin History, Some Stories, and Some Outstanding Questions

“…Sara Zalik et al published many studies 1979-1999 on galectins during early chick embryogenesis (78,83). In the later studies she reported interesting morphological disturbances from adding simple galectin inhibitors like thiodigalactoside or lactose (84,85).…”