Developmental-related changes in the lectin binding to cells of the central nervous system

Abstract

Developmental related changes in Concanavalin A binding to nerve tissue are reported in this paper. ConA binding sites were studied in brains of rats and chicks at different embryological stages using the ConA-Peroxidase-DAB sequence. Developmental related changes in the extent, and pattern of ConA binding sites were observed in the neuronal perikaryon. An increment in the uptake of ConA is parallel to neuronal maturation, and to the development of Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum. A great density of ConA binding sites is found in radial glial processes in rat brain at day 15 following insemination. The density of ConA binding sites in radial glial processes decreases in the following days. At day 18 ConA binding sites in these glial processes are not found. ConA binding sites in oligodendroglia and myelin coat are not found before birth.