ConA- and PNA-binding glycoproteins of human epidermis.

Concanavalia ensiformis agglutinin (ConA) and Arachis hypogaea agglutinin (PNA) binding glycoproteins in NP-40 extracts of human epidermis and epidermal cell preparations have been investigated by incubation of SDS-polyacrylamide gels with 125I-labeled lectins. In whole epidermis, 125I-ConA labels numerous glycoproteins, of which some appear to be restricted to the more differentiated upper layers of the epidermis and thus may represent markers of epidermal differentiation. These glycoproteins are not expressed by cells cultured on collagen. 125I-PNA labels a limited number of components, of which the major one is intercellular and/or extremely trypsin-sensitive. This material is expressed in low amounts after 13 days in culture.