[Localization of glycoconjugates in the tissue structures of man and animals]

By means of concanavalin A (Con A) labelled with fluorescein isotiocyonate in cryostate sections of some human and animal organs (skin, heart, thymus) localization of clycoconjugates containing hexoses and reacting with this lectin has been studied. Glycoconjugates are revealed along the periphery of all cellular elements, in Z-lines and in intercalated disks of the myocardial muscle fibers, in the connective tissue ground substance and also in that of the basal membranes of epithelium, endothelium, muscle fibers (sarcolemma), in cytoplasm of epithelioreticulocytes of the thymus. In fibroblasts of the L-cells culture, glycoconjugates are also localized in cytoplasm. When N-acetylglucosamin is added to the labelled Con A solution, the ability of lectin to react with tissue components is inhibited.