Expression of galactoside- specific endogenous lectins and their ligands in human oral squamous cell carcinoma

Journal/Book: Cancer Letters 85 (1), 1-7. 1994;

Abstract: Human endogenous lectins have a wide spectrum of biological functions.The present study analyses the expression of beta-galactoside specificand N-acetyl-D-galactosamine specific endogenous lectins in oralsquamous cell carcinomas using biotinylated neoglycoproteins. Theexpression pattern of beta-galactosyl-containing glycoconjugates orligands of beta-galactoside specific lectins in these tissues was alsostudied using an endogenous biotinylated lectin, the human 14-kDalectin. For comparison a galactoside specific plant lectin frommistletoe, Viscum album was also employed. The results demonstrate thatoral squamous cell carcinomas mainly express accessible binding sitesfor lactosylated neoglycoprotein (90%) while few carcinomas expressedmild amount of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine specific binding sites (40%).There was no difference in the binding patterns of these probes betweenwell and less differentiated carcinomas. Expression of theseneoglycoprotein binding sites were mostly concentrated in immaturebasaloid cells, indicating a possible association with cellproliferation. The binding pattern of D-galactosyl specific lectins(human 14-kDa and mistletoe lectins) showed conspicuous differences.This feature emphasizes the caution that needs to be exercised ininterpreting the biological significance of results attained using plantlectins on human tissue. Author.

Keyword(s): ACETYLGALACTOSAMINE/ AN (analysis)

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