Postnatal changes in [3H]fucosyl glycopeptides of hamster optic nerve synaptosomal membrane.

Axonally transported glycopeptides of the optic nerve synaptosomal membrane were labeled in neonatal and adult hamsters by intraocular injection of [3H]fucose. A prominent polypeptide in the 50,000 molecular weight region was heavily labeled after eye-opening in 16-day-old and adult hamsters, but not in 5- or 12-day-olds. The data suggest that either synthesis or fucosylation of a major synaptosomal membrane glycopeptide is under developmental control and expressed primarily after the eye-lids open.