[Histochemistry of a new Tritrichomonas mobilensis lectin with sialic acid specificity].

BACKGROUND

Histochemistry with lectins highly specific for one sugar represent a sensitive and accurate method for the localization of glycoproteins in tissues.

OBJECTIVES

The paper evaluates the possibilities of histochemical applications of the novel lectin from Tritrichomonas mobilensis (TML) with specificity for sialic acid.

METHODS

TML purified by affinity chromatography was used for anti-TML monoclonal antibody production and tested with the use of avidin-biotin peroxidase technique.

RESULTS

In human biopsy material from different organs and tissues, TML showed strong membrane reactivity with vascular endothelium with the exception of glomerular and pulmonary capillaries and sinuses in the spleen and the bone marrow. Luminal membrane positivity dominated in glandular epithelia, especially in the lining of ducts. In squamous epithelia, the membrane positivity was present in cells of the basal layer, in transitional epithelium also in umbrella cells. Mucus in respiratory tract was positive, in gastrointestinal tract the positivity was irregular. Nerve tissue and endocrine glands were mostly negative.

CONCLUSIONS

The lectin from tritrichomonas mobilensis can be considered a perspective reagent for identification of sialylated glycosubstances based on its high specificity for one sugar--the sialic acid and excellent results in histochemistry. (Fig. 7, Ref. 29.)