Peri-Golgi vesicles contain retrograde but not anterograde proteins consistent with the cisternal progression model of intra-Golgi transport.

A cisternal progression mode of intra-Golgi transport requires that Golgi resident proteins recycle by peri-Golgi vesicles, whereas the alternative model of vesicular transport predicts anterograde cargo proteins to be present in such vesicles. We have used quantitative immuno-EM on NRK cells to distinguish peri-Golgi vesicles from other vesicles in the Golgi region. We found significant levels of the Golgi resident enzyme mannosidase II and the transport machinery proteins giantin, KDEL-receptor, and rBet1 in coatomer protein I-coated cisternal rims and peri-Golgi vesicles. By contrast, when cells expressed vesicular stomatitis virus protein G this anterograde marker was largely absent from the peri-Golgi vesicles. These data suggest a role of peri-Golgi vesicles in recycling of Golgi residents, rather than an important role in anterograde transport.

An intact dilysine-like motif in the carboxyl terminus of MAL is required for normal apical transport of the influenza virus hemagglutinin cargo protein in epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

The MAL proteolipid, a component of the integral protein sorting machinery, has been demonstrated as being necessary for normal apical transport of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and the overall apical membrane proteins in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. The MAL carboxy terminus ends with the sequence Arg-Trp-Lys-Ser-Ser (RWKSS), which resembles dilysine-based motifs involved in protein sorting. To investigate whether the RWKSS pentapeptide plays a role in modulating the distribution of MAL and/or its function in apical transport, we have expressed MAL proteins with distinct carboxy terminus in MDCK cells whose apical transport was impaired by depletion of endogenous MAL. Apical transport of HA was restored to normal levels by expression of MAL with an intact but not with modified carboxyl terminal sequences bearing mutations that impair the functioning of dilysine-based sorting signals, although all the MAL proteins analyzed incorporated efficiently into lipid rafts. Ultrastructural analysis indicated that compared with MAL bearing an intact RWKSS sequence, a mutant with lysine -3 substituted by serine showed a twofold increased presence in clathrin-coated cytoplasmic structures and a reduced expression on the plasma membrane. These results indicate that the carboxyl-terminal RWKSS sequence modulates the distribution of MAL in clathrin-coated elements and is necessary for HA transport to the apical surface.

BENE, a novel raft-associated protein of the MAL proteolipid family, interacts with caveolin-1 in human endothelial-like ECV304 cells.

The MAL proteolipid, an integral protein present in glycolipid- and cholesterol-enriched membrane (GEM) rafts, is an element of the machinery necessary for apical sorting in polarized epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. MAL was the first member identified of an extended family of proteins that have significant overall sequence identity. In this study we have used a newly generated monoclonal antibody to investigate an unedited member of this family, named BENE, which was found to be expressed in endothelial-like ECV304 cells and normal human endothelium. Human BENE was characterized as a proteolipid protein predominantly present in GEM rafts in ECV304 cells. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed that BENE interacted with caveolin-1. Confocal immunofluorescence and electron microscopic analyses indicated that BENE mainly accumulated into intracellular vesicular/tubular structures that partially colocalize with internal caveolin-1. In response to cell surface cholesterol oxidation, BENE redistributed to the dilated vesicular structures that concentrate most of the caveolin-1 originally on the cell surface. After cessation of cholesterol oxidation, a detectable fraction of the BENE molecules migrated to the plasmalemma accompanying caveolin-1 and then returned progressively to its steady state distribution. Together, these features highlight the BENE proteolipid as being an element of the machinery for raft-mediated trafficking in endothelial cells.

The golgi-associated COPI-coated buds and vesicles contain beta/gamma -actin.

It has been shown previously that the morphology and subcellular positioning of the Golgi complex is controlled by actin microfilaments. To further characterize the association between actin microfilaments and the Golgi complex, we have used the Clostridium botulinum toxins C2 and C3, which specifically inhibit actin polymerization and cause depolymerization of F-actin in intact cells by the ADP ribosylation of G-actin monomers and the Rho small GTP-binding protein, respectively. Normal rat kidney cells treated with C2 showed that disruption of the actin and the collapse of the Golgi complex occurred concomitantly. However, when cells were treated with C3, the actin disassembly was observed without any change in the organization of the Golgi complex. The absence of the involvement of Rho was further confirmed by the treatment with lysophosphatidic acid or microinjection with the constitutively activated form of RhoA, both of which induced the stress fiber formation without affecting the Golgi complex. Immunogold electron microscopy in normal rat kidney cells revealed that beta- and gamma-actin isoforms were found in Golgi-associated COPI-coated buds and vesicles. Taken together, the results suggest that the Rho signaling pathway does not directly regulate Golgi-associated actin microfilaments, and that beta- and gamma-actins might be involved in the formation and/or transport of Golgi-derived vesicular or tubular intermediates.

Cytochemical and western blot analysis of the subcompartmentalization of the acrosome in rodents using soybean lectin.

In the present study, the formation and development of the acrosome during spermiogenesis in four different rodent species (rat, mouse, hamster and guinea pig) was compared by means of cytochemical and blotting techniques using a lectin from soybean (SBA). This lectin recognizes specifically the acrosome of the four species at all steps of formation. At the ultrastructural level, SBA-binding pattern was similar in the acrosome of the rat, mouse and hamster. SBA preferentially labelled the electron-lucent area of the acrosome in early-spermatids (Golgi and cap phases) and the outer region of the acrosome in mature spermatids (acrosome and maturation phase). The lectin binding pattern was more complex in the guinea pig acrosome. Three different subdomains can be established in the early acrosome of the guinea pig. The lectin bound the three subdomains but mainly a thin fold which spreads over the nucleus during the cap phase. In the acrosome phase, SBA strongly reacted with the principal segment. In contrast, no reactivity was observed in most of this segment in maturation phase spermatids. In this phase, SBA bound preferentially a thin area covering the dorsal region of the apical segment. Lectin blots of detergent-extracted testes indicated that SBA only recognizes proteins of high molecular weight (> 100 kD) in the four species studied. The results obtained in the present study suggest that the development of acrosomal subdomains is very similar in the mouse, rat and hamster but shows a more complex pattern in the guinea pig.

Vesicular tubular clusters between the ER and Golgi mediate concentration of soluble secretory proteins by exclusion from COPI-coated vesicles.

We have determined the concentrations of the secretory proteins amylase and chymotrypsinogen and the membrane proteins KDELr and rBet1 in COPII- and COPI-coated pre-Golgi compartments of pancreatic cells by quantitative immunoelectron microscopy. COPII was confined to ER membrane buds and adjacent vesicles. COPI occurred on vesicular tubular clusters (VTCs), Golgi cisternae, the trans-Golgi network, and immature secretory granules. Both secretory proteins exhibited a first, significant concentration step in noncoated segments of VTC tubules and were excluded from COPI-coated tips. By contrast, KDELr and rBet1 showed a first, significant concentration in COPII-coated ER buds and vesicles and were prominently present in COPI-coated tips of VTC tubules. These data suggest an important role of VTCs in soluble cargo concentration by exclusion from COPI-coated domains.

Cytochemical localization of GalNAc and GalNAcbeta1,4Galbeta1,4 disaccharide in mouse zona pellucida.

Carbohydrate residues contained in the zona pellucida play a key role in the process of sperm-egg interaction. In vitro fertilization experiments have shown that a specific monoclonal antibody against GalNAcbeta1,4Galbeta1,4 disaccharide inhibits fertilization in mice. In the present study, the ultrastructural cytochemical localization of GalNAc residues and the GalNAcbeta1,4Galbeta1,4 disaccharide was carried out in ovarian and postovulatory oocytes by using lectin-gold cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry. Plant lectins SBA and DBA showed an affinity for the entire zona pellucida matrix of ovarian oocytes throughout the follicular maturation; however, immunoreactivity for GalNAcbeta1,4Galbeta1,4 disaccharide was not detected in ovarian oocytes at the earliest stages of follicular development but was found to be associated with the inner region of the zona matrix at the trilaminar primary follicle stage. The Golgi apparatus, vesicular aggregates, and cortical granules of the oocyte were intensely labeled by SBA and DBA throughout follicular development. Immunoreactivity to GalNAcbeta1,4Galbeta1,4 disaccharide was first observed in the Golgi apparatus and vesicular aggregates in trilaminar primary follicles. No immunoreactivity was observed in the cortical granules. In postovulatory oocytes, results were similar to those observed in ovarian oocytes. Our results thus suggest that (1) GalNAcbeta1,4Galbeta1,4 disaccharide residues are present only in the inner region of the zona pellucida and, therefore, might be involved in sperm penetration through the zona pellucida, (2) the inner and outer regions of the zona pellucida contain different oligosaccharide chains, (3) the vesicular aggregates detected in the oocyte could represent an intermediate step in the secretory pathway of zona pellucida glycoproteins and might be involved in the formation of cortical granules.

Procollagen traverses the Golgi stack without leaving the lumen of cisternae: evidence for cisternal maturation.

Newly synthesized procollagen type I (PC) assembles into 300 nm rigid, rod-like triple helices in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. This oligomeric complex moves to the Golgi and forms large electron-dense aggregates. We have monitored the transport of PC along the secretory pathway. We show that PC moves across the Golgi stacks without ever leaving the lumen of the Golgi cisternae. During transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi, PC is found within tubular-saccular structures greater than 300 nm in length. Thus, supermolecular cargoes such as PC do not utilize the conventional vesicle-mediated transport to traverse the Golgi stacks. Our results imply that PC moves in the anterograde direction across the Golgi complex by a process involving progressive maturation of Golgi cisternae.

Localization of penultimate carbohydrate residues in zona pellucida and acrosomes by means of lectin cytochemistry and enzymatic treatments.

Lectins from peanuts (PNA) and soy beans (SBA) bind terminal residues of galactose (Gal) and N-acetyl-galactosamine (GalNAc) respectively. Galactose oxidase oxidizes the hydroxyl group at C-6 of terminal Gal and GalNAc blocking the binding of PNA and SBA. Binding of these lectins to sugar residues is also severely limited by the existence of terminal residues of sialic acid. In the present study, lectin cytochemistry in combination with enzymatic treatments and quantitative analysis has been applied at light and electron microscopical levels to develop a simple methodology allowing the in situ discrimination between penultimate and terminal Gal/GalNAc residues. The areas selected for the demonstration of the method included rat zona pellucida and acrosomes of rat spermatids, which contain abundant glycoproteins with terminal Gal/GalNAc residues. Zona pellucida was labelled by LFA, PNA and SBA. After galactose oxidase treatment, terminal Gal/GalNAc residues are oxidized, and reactivity to PNA/SBA is abolished. The sequential application of galactose oxidase, neuraminidase and PNA/SBA has the following effects: (i) oxidation of terminal Gal/GalNAc residues; (ii) elimination of terminal sialic acid residues rendering accessible to the lectins preterminal Gal/GalNAc residues; and (iii) binding of the lectins to the sugar residues. Acrosomes were reactive to PNA and SBA. No LFA reactivity was detected, thus indicating the absence of terminal sialic acid residues. Therefore, no labelling was observed after both galactose oxidase-PNA/SBA and galactose oxidase-neuraminidase-PNA/SBA sequences. In conclusion, the combined application of galactose oxidase, neuraminidase and PNA/SBA cytochemistry is a useful technique for the demonstration of penultimate carbohydrate residues with affinity for these lectins.

Identification of two types of beta-COP vesicles in the Golgi complex of rat spermatids.

In the present study, immunoelectron microscopy was used to characterize two types of coated vesicles at the trans Golgi reticulum (TGR) of rat early spermatids. Most of the coated vesicles and buds had a 18.4 +/- 0.5 nm thick electron-dense coat. The size of the vesicles without the coat was 102.6 +/- 3.6 nm. This coat reacted with antibodies against clathrin. Immunolabeling for clathrin was almost restricted to the trans Golgi area (86% of the total labeling in the Golgi complex). In addition, we found a homogeneous population of small vesicles and buds bearing a approximately 10 nm thick coat which reacted with antibodies against beta-COP. beta-COP-immunoreactive vesicles were detected at the cis side (32%), lateral rims (27%) and trans face (40%) of the Golgi complex. The diameters of beta-COP-immunoreactive vesicles at the TGR and cis Golgi side were 53.9 +/- 1.3 and 42.1 +/- 1.1 nm, respectively. Cis Golgi elements were identified by using antibodies against markers of the Golgi intermediate compartment p 58, p 53 and Rab 2. Some beta-COP labeling was also found at the acrosomal membrane and associated buds. These results indicate that the TGR of early spermatids contains COP-coated vesicles which are different to those found at the cis Golgi side.

Immunocytochemical localization and biochemical characterization of a novel plasma membrane-associated, neutral pH optimum alpha-L-fucosidase from rat testis and epididymal spermatozoa.

1. Immunocytochemical and biochemical techniques have been used to localize and characterize a novel plasma membrane-associated, neutral-pH-optimum alpha-L-fucosidase from rat spermatozoa. Light and electron microscopy specifically localized the fucosidase on the plasma membrane of the convex region of the principal segment of testicular and cauda epididymal sperm heads. Immunoreactivity for alpha-L-fucosidase was also detected in the Golgi apparatus of spermatocytes and spermatids but no immunoreactivity was observed in the acrosome. 2. Fractionation of epididymal sperm homogenates indicated that over 90% of the alpha-L-fucosidase activity was associated with the 48,000 g pellet. This pellet-associated activity could be solubilized with 0.5 M NaCl but not with 0.5% Triton X-100, suggesting that fucosidase is peripherally associated with membranes. Sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation of sperm homogenates indicated that fucosidase was enriched in the plasma membrane-enriched fraction. Analysis of alpha-L-fucosidase on intact epididymal sperm indicated that the enzyme was active, displayed linear kinetics and had a pH-activity curve (with an optimum near 7) which was comparable to that of fucosidase from epididymal sperm extracts. These results further suggest that fucosidase is associated with plasma membranes, and that its active site is accessible to fucoconjugates. Evidence that most of the fucosidase is associated with the exterior of the plasma membrane came from studies in which intact sperm had fucosidase activity comparable to that of sperm sonicates, and from studies in which approx. 90% of the fucosidase activity on intact sperm could be released from the sperm by gentle shaking with 0.5 M NaCl. Isoelectric focusing indicated that the NaCl-solubilized epididymal sperm fucosidase appears to have one major and one minor isoform with pIs near 7.2 and 5.2, respectively. SDS/PAGE and Western blotting indicated that the NaCl-solubilized extract of epididymal sperm contains two protein bands of 54 and 50 kDa which were highly immunoreactive with the IgG fraction of anti-fucosidase antibodies. Although the function of the novel sperm fucosidase is not known, its specific localization to the plasma membrane of the region of the rat sperm head involved in sperm-egg binding and its high enzymic activity at neutral pH on intact sperm suggest that this enzyme may have a role in sperm-egg interactions.

Evidence for a nonlysosomal origin of the acrosome.

We studied the biogenesis of the acrosome in sperm cells in immunogold-labeled ultrathin cryosections of rat testis, using a variety of antibodies against endosomal/lysosomal marker protein and acrosin, the major secretory protein of sperm cells. As expected, acrosomes and proacrosomal vesicles in the trans-Golgi region contained abundant acrosin. Rat lysosomal membrane glycoprotein (lgp) 120 and mouse lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 were not detectable in the acrosomal membrane. Similarly, the late endosomal markers cation-dependent and -independent mannose 6-phosphate receptors were absent from the acrosome and proacrosomal vesicles. Therefore, acrosomes do not exhibit these endosomal/lysosomal features. Apart from (pro) acrosomal vesicles, both spermatocytes and spermatids contained classical lysosomes (positive for rat lgp 120, mouse lysosome-associated membrane protein-1, and cathepsin D) that were negative for acrosin. Quantitative analysis of the immunogold labeling showed that spermatocytes express more mannose 6-phosphate receptors and lgp 120 than spermatids, whereas the opposite situation existed for acrosin. These data indicate differential synthetic activity of lysosomal and acrosomal constituents in different states of sperm differentiation. Together, our observations argue against a lysosomal /endosomal origin of the acrosome.

Cytochemical characterization of oligosaccharide side chains of the glycoproteins of rat zona pellucida: an ultrastructural study.

BACKGROUND: The zona pellucida (ZP), an extracellular matrix which surrounds mammalian oocytes, is formed by different glycoproteins. Several studies have revealed that carbohydrate residues present in glycoproteins of ZP play a key role in the sperm-egg recognition. However, the origin and the biochemical composition of ZP remain to be completely resolved. METHODS: ZP glycoproteins from rat ovarian follicles were investigated at light and electron microscopic level by the application of lectins conjugated to peroxidase, digoxigenin, and colloidal gold in combination with enzyme and chemical treatment. A quantitative analysis was also performed. RESULTS: ZP shows reactivity to WGA, DSA, LFA, AAA, RCA I, and MAA. SBA and PNA showed a variable reactivity ranging from negative to strongly positive. A uniform pattern of binding throughout ZP was observed with DSA, Con A, AAA, MAA, and LFA. However, labeling by RCA I and SBA was higher in the outer ZP while PNA and WGA showed a higher binding in the inner ZP. Lectin reactivity was detected in cortical granules, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, vesicles, and multivesicular bodies of oocytes. CONCLUSIONS: ZP contained the terminal disaccharides Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc, Gal beta 1,3GalNAc, and GalNAc beta 1,3Gal and the trisaccharides Neu5Ac alpha 2, 3Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc, Neu5Ac-Gal beta 1,3GalNAc, and Neu5Ac-GalNAc beta 1,3Gal sequences. The occurrence of Fucose residues alpha 1,6 linked to the inner core region of N-linked glycoproteins of ZP was demonstrated by the use of several fucose-specific lectins. Methylation-saponification treatment in combination with lectin cytochemistry reveals that Gal, GalNAc, and polyllactosamine residues of rat ZP glycoproteins contain sulphated groups. The reactivity observed in ooplasmic vesicles was similar to that of ZP, thus suggesting that the oocyte is the site of synthesis of ZP glycoproteins.

Cytochemical characterization of sulfo- and sialoglycoconjugates of human laryngeal glandular cells.

The composition and distribution of sulfo- and sialoglycoconjugates in human laryngeal glands have been investigated at light and electron microscopic levels by use of peroxidase-, digoxigenin-, and colloidal gold-conjugated lectins in combination with several chemical and enzymatic deglycosylation procedures. The present study reveals a variety of terminal oligosaccharide sequences in serous and mucous glands. Serous cells contained glycoconjugates with terminal Neu5Ac (alpha 2-3) Gal (beta 1-4) GlcNAc, Neu5Ac (alpha 2-6) Gal/GalNAc, Neu5Ac (alpha 2-3/6) Gal (beta 1-3 GalNAc, GlcNAc, and Gal (beta 1-4) GlcNAc sequences. Scarce SO4Gal(beta 1-3)GalNAc terminal oligosaccharide chans were detected. Serous cells show wide morphological variability of secretory granules (electron lucent, electron dense, and bizonal) with different lectin affinities. Glycoconjugates in human laryngeal mucous glands contained a variety of terminal oligosaccharide sequences including SO4Gal(beta 1-4)GlcNAc, SO4Gal(beta 1-3) GalNAc, SO4GalNAc, and Neu5Ac(alpha 2-3)GalNAc.

Subcellular characterization of glycoproteins in the principal cells of human gallbladder. A lectin cytochemical study.

Gallbladder mucus is mainly composed of glycoproteins, which seem to play a critical role in cholesterol nucleation during gallstone formation. The biosynthetic pathway and sequential processing as well as the characterization of the oligosaccharide side-chains of human gallbladder secretory glycoproteins have not been completely defined. The aim of the present study is the subcellular characterization of the glycoproteins in the principal cells of human gallbladder. Principal cells of normal human gallbladder were studied by means of a variety of cytochemical techniques, including lectin histochemistry, enzyme and chemical treatments, immunocytochemistry and lectin-gold technology. Fucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acid residues were detected in mucous granules, Golgi apparatus and apical membrane of principal cells. Mannose residues were only observed in dense bodies. Oligosaccharide side-chains of the glycoproteins contained in the biliary mucus are synthesized in the Golgi apparatus of the principal cells of the gallbladder epithelium and are also contained in the mucous granules of these cells. Terminal N-acetylneuraminic acid(alpha 2-3)galactose(beta 1-3)N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylneuraminic acid(alpha 2-3)galactose(beta 1-4)N-acetylglucosamine and galactose(beta 1-4)N-acetylglucosamine sequences are contained in the oligosaccharide chains of gallbladder mucus glycoproteins. The dense bodies detected in the cytoplasm of the principal cells contained N-linked glycoproteins. Mucin-type O-linked glycoproteins were the main components of the mucous granules although some N-linked chains were also detected.

Glycosylation in Golgi apparatus of early spermatids of rat. A high resolution lectin cytochemical study.

In the present study, lectin cytochemistry in combination with enzyme and chemical treatments and ultrastructural immunocytochemistry were applied to investigate the formation of acrosomal glycoproteins in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus (GA) of early rat spermatids. In addition, the vesicles involved in glycoprotein traffic were investigated using a monoclonal antibody against clathrin. The results obtained suggest the occurrence of high mannose and complex type N-linked oligosaccharides and mucin type O-linked oligosaccharides. In N-linked glycoproteins, Man residues are incorporated into the nascent oligosaccharide in the ER, Fuc residues of the inner core of the oligosaccharide in the cis region of GA, GlcNAc in medial cisternae of GA and Gal residues in the transmost cisternae of GA. In O-linked glycoproteins, the addition of GalNAc occurs in cis and trans cisternae of GA. Gal beta 1,3GalNAc sequence was detected in medial and trans cisternae of GA. Sialic acid was detected in both N- and O-linked oligosaccharides in medial and trans cisternae of GA but not in acrosomes. Immunoreactivity to clathrin was observed in the intermediate zone between ER and GA and in vesicles of the trans side of GA.

Influence of sulphate groups in the binding of peanut agglutinin. Histochemical demonstration with light- and electron-microscopy.

The influence of sulphation of mucus glycoproteins in the binding of peanut agglutinin (PNA) to tissue sections has been investigated by means of histochemical techniques at the light- and electron-microscopic level. A sequential methylation-saponification procedure was applied for the desulphation of tissue samples. Labelling by peroxidase- and colloidal gold-conjugated PNA was compared in control and desulphated samples of rat intestinal mucosa. The high-iron-diamine (HID) technique was used as a control for the effectiveness of the desulphation technique, and the Alcian Blue, pH 2.5 (AB 2.5), PAS and phosphotungstic acid-HCl (acid-PTA) techniques served as controls for the integrity of the oligosaccharide chains, respectively. In general, a marked increase of PNA reactivity was observed in desulphated samples when compared with control sections. These findings indicate that sulphation of galactose inhibits the binding of PNA to carbohydrate moieties in tissue sections. Staining patterns obtained with HID, PNA and the desulphation-PNA sequence in the goblet cells of the large intestine suggest a modification of the secretory product stored in these cells as the cell matures and moves from the lower crypt region toward the luminal surface. These modifications were not detected in the small intestine. Ultrastructural detection of PNA-binding sites suggests that galactose residues are incorporated into the oligosaccharide chains of O-linked glycoproteins at the medial cisternae of the Golgi apparatus. However, sulphation occurs at the trans side of the Golgi complex and the trans Golgi network. In conclusion, desulphation procedures are useful for revealing PNA-binding sites.

Ultrastructural localization of glycoconjugates in human bronchial glands: the subcellular organization of N- and O-linked oligosaccharide chains.

We investigated the glycoconjugates of the human bronchial glands at light and electron microscopic level by means of lectin histochemistry in combination with neuraminidase digestion and beta-elimination reaction. Both direct and indirect techniques using lectin-peroxidase, lectin-gold, and glycoprotein-gold complexes were applied. The binding pattern of the six lectins (ConA, HPA, DSA, WGA, LEA, and PNA) used in the present study suggests that mucous and serous cells of human bronchial glands contain both N- and O-glycosylated proteins in the secretory granules. Asparagine-linked oligosaccharides containing Gal(beta-1,4) GlcNAc and Man residues were abundant in serous cells. The demonstration of both the terminal Neu 5Ac (alpha-2,3, or 6) Gal (beta-1,4) GlcNAc sequence in the N-linked oligosaccharides of mucous cells and the terminal disaccharide Gal (beta-1,4) GlcNAc in the N-linked oligosaccharide chains of serous cells suggests the existence of complex type sugar chains N-glycosidically linked to the peptide region of the glycoproteins. The binding pattern of the DSA and the neuraminidase-DSA sequence provides evidence for the existence of sialyltransferase activity in the forming mucous granules of mucous bronchial cells.

Cytochemical characterization of glycoproteins in the developing acrosome of rats. An ultrastructural study using lectin histochemistry, enzymes and chemical deglycosylation.

The composition and distribution of rat acrosomal glycoproteins during spermiogenesis have been investigated at light and electron microscopic level by means of a variety of morphological techniques including the application of lectins conjugated to peroxidase, digoxigenin and colloidal gold, enzyme and chemical deglycosylation procedures and conventional histochemistry. Results obtained with lectin histochemistry in combination with beta-elimination reaction and endoglucosaminidase F/peptide N-glycosidase F digestion suggest that glycoproteins of mature acrosomes contain both N- and O-linked oligosaccharides. N-linked chains of acrosomal glycoproteins contain mannose and external residues of N-acetylglucosamine and galactose. They also have fucose residues linked to the core region of the oligosaccharide side chains. O-linked oligosaccharide chains contain external residues of both galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine. Mannose, fucose, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine residues were detected in acrosomes at all steps of spermiogenesis. N-acetylgalactosamine residues were only observed in the late steps of the spermiogenesis. N-acetylneuraminic acid residues were not detected throughout the acrosomal development. At initial stages of acrosome formation, glycoproteins were preferentially distributed over the acrosomic granules. In cap phase spermatids, lectin binding sites were homogeneously distributed throughout the acrosomes; however, in mature spermatozoa, glycoproteins were predominantly located over the outer acrosomal membrane.

Lectin binding pattern in the testes of several tetrapode vertebrates.

The glycoconjugates of the testes of four species of vertebrates including amphibians (Bufo calamita), reptiles (Mauremys caspica), birds (Columba livia) and mammals (Mesocricetus auratus) were investigated by means of lectin histochemistry. Spermatogonia of the animals studied were labelled by Con A and WGA. DBA showed a specific affinity for the spermatogonia Aal of the hamster indicating that DBA might be an useful marker for this cell type. The acrosomes of the hamster spermatids were strongly reactive to PNA, SBA and WGA. LTA and UEA-I did not show affinity for the acrosomes of any of the species studied. Lectin reactivity of spermatids and spermatozoa was similar in pigeon and hamster. Sertoli cells were reactive to Con A in all species studied. Affinity to WGA of the spermatozoa tails suggests the addition of the glycoprotein SMA4 in the testis, instead of the epididymis as has been indicated in the mouse. The present results suggest an increase in the glycosylation processes with the differentiation of the spermatogenic lineage being more marked in amphibians and reptiles in the spermatid-spermatozoa step, while in mammals the differences are greater in spermatocyte-spermatid step. The low reactivity to the lectins in the bird studied suggests a low content of glycoconjugates in the testis of this avian species.