Distribution of surface coat material on nasal folds of mouse embryos as demonstrated by concanavalin A binding

3H-concanavalin A and the concanavalin A-horseradish peroxidase staining technique were used to study the distribution of surface coat material on the epithelium of the nasal folds and nasal groove of mouse embryos. In stages shortly before and during epithelial fusion concanavalan A stained or labeled material was present at apical surfaces of epithelial cells of the nasal groove and nasal folds. Silver grains, representing bound 3H-concanavalin A, were counted in defined areas of the nasal groove and presumptive fusion area in both anterior and posterior regions of the nasal folds. For both stages examined there was a significant increase in the amount of 3H-concanavalin A bound by presumptive fusion areas in posterior regions of the nasal folds as compared with anterior regions; i.e., the atact between the nasal folds. This finding is consistent with results from investigations of palatal shelf and neural fold fusion which suggest that increased synthesis of surface coat material is associated with adhesion and fusion of epithelial folds and shelves.