Lectin binding patterns in amphibian epidermis.

A battery of 6 different horseradish peroxidase conjugated lectins has been employed for structural localization of glycoconjugates in amphibian epidermis. Lens culinaris (LCA) lectin stained the basal membrane and gave no significant reaction on the epidermal layers. Canavlia ensiformis (Con A) and Griffonia simplicifolia II (GS II) lectins bound the keratinocyte cytoplasm and the basal membrane as well. Ulex europaeus I (UEA I) lectin had only reactivity with flask cells. Griffonia simplifolia I (GS I) and Glycine max (SBA) lectins preferentially bound the cell membranes of keratinocytes, being the intensity of the staining gradually increasing from the stratum spinosum to the stratum granulosum. These results show that UEA I, GS I, and SBA are good markers to distinguish different cell types and the degree of keratinocytes differentiation.