Expression of carbohydrate binding protein 35 in human fibroblasts: Comparisons between cells with different proliferative capacities

Abstract

Carbohydrate Binding Protein 35 (CBP35) is a galactose-specific lectin found in the nucleus and cytoplasm of mouse 3T3 fibroblasts. In these cultures, the level of expression and nuclear localization of CBP35 was correlated with the proliferative state of the cells. CBP35 is also found in human fibroblasts. We have compared the expression and localization of CBP35 in human fibroblasts of different replicative capacities: young (passage 11), intermediate (passage 19), and old (passage 33) SL66 cells, and fibroblasts derived from a patient with Werner's syndrome. The results indicate that the expression of CBP35 in cells with either age-acquired or congenital replicative deficiencies was unresponsive to serum stimulation, in contrast with that found in young normal human fibroblasts and in 3T3 cells.