Effect on inhibitors of glycoprotein synthesis (swainsonine, 1-deoxynojirimycin) on hormonal imprinting and lectin binding in Tetrahymena pyriformis.

Glycoprotein synthesis inhibitors (swainsonine = SW and 1-deoxynojirimycin = DNJ) influenced the insulin binding, insulin provoked hormonal imprinting and lectin binding of Tetrahymena. Insulin binding was increased and lectin binding decreased by both of them immediately after treatment, however, SW decreased insulin binding and both of them increased lectin binding after 24 h. SW inhibited, DNJ allowed the development of insulin imprinting. This means that the disturbance of glycosylation in general does not influence, but the blocking of mannosidase II disturbs the process of imprinting.