Effect of theβ-D-galactoside-binding lectin on cell to substratum and cell to cell adhesion of cells from the extraembryonic endoderm of the early chick blastoderm.

Cells from the extraembryonic endoderm of the gastrulating chick embryo contain a β-D-galactoside-binding lectin inhibited by thiodigalactoside (TDG). When cell suspensions are cultured in stationary culture in the presence of exogenously added purified blastoderm lectin or TDG, their attachment to the substratum is delayed and decreased compared to controls. The cells take on a fibroblastic-like morphology and cell to cell contact becomes limited to localized areas of the cell surface. Many lectin or TDG-treated cells appear to be migrating over the substratum. This is in contrast to control cultures where the cells appear epithelial in morphology and tend to maximize their areas of apposition. These data suggest that the endogenous lectin may have a role to play in cell to substratum and cell to cell adhesion.