AN ENDOGENOUS LECTIN ACTIVITY IN SOLUBLE EXTRACTS OF BUFO ARENARUM EMBRYOS

FINK, N. E.; ELOLA, M. T.; HERKOVITS, J.

Acta Embryologiae et Morphologiae Experimentalis

MUNKSGAARD

Año: 1984 vol. 5 p. 169 - 176

0567-7416

An endogenous beta-galactoside lectin activity from Bufo arenarum whole embryos was identified. Specific inhibition of this lectin activity by saccharides was determined at different developmental stages. The specific activity measured against trypsinized rabbit red blood cells showed relatively high and fluctuating levels during early stages (up to about 76 h post-fertilization) which fell to significantly lower and more constant values at late stages (77-264 h post-fertilization). Lactose is the most potent inhibitor of this lectin activity, and saccharides having alpha-galactoside configurations are weaker inhibitors. At the last embryonic stage, the agglutinating activity showed a different sugar specificity which suggests either the modification of the preexistent lectin or the synthesis of another type of lectin.