Griffonia simplicifolia I-B 4 isolectin receptors in the microcirculatory vessels of the gastrocnemius muscle and heart: Heterogeneity among families of anuran amphibians

Abstract

1. 1. A fluorescent derivative of the Griffonia simplicifolia I-B 4 isolectin was used to examine historically the distribution of terminal methyl-α-galactosyl residues in the microcirculatory vessels of the gastrocnemius muscle and the ventricles from four families of anuran amphibians. 2. 2. The isolectin preferentially bound to capillaries in the gastrocnemius muscles from members of the families Ranidae, Bufonidae and Pipidae, but not from the family Hylidae. 3. 3. Histological and ultrastructural analyses revealed a primitive sinusoidal endothelial system in the anuran heart, with a less extensive expression of the GSI-B 4 receptors than in skeletal muscle. 4. 4. These results suggest phylogenetic differences among families of anuran amphibians with regard to the distribution of GSI-B 4 receptors in skeletal and cardiac muscle.