Distribution of a galactose-specific lectin in endoderm cells from early chick embryos.

Cells from the endoderm of the area opaca of gastrulating chick embryos were maintained in stationary cultures, stained with antibodies against the endogenous beta-D-galactoside-binding lectin and examined by immunofluorescence. In the majority of cells fluorescence was present as an irregular circular web in the central cytoplasm. In cells that appeared to be migrating increased fluorescence was observed in the peripheral cytoplasm and retraction fibers. In regions where a portion of the cell was detaching from the substratum high fluorescence was observed in the extracellular "footprints" deposited by the cell.