Lectin resistance and lectin binding in a rat adenocarcinoma

Cell cultures from the R3230 AC rat mammary adenocarcinoma, when injected i.v. into F 344 rats, invariably produce multiple lung foci within 10 days. We compared the colonization potential of cultures exposed to 100 micrograms/ml medium of both Concanavalin A and Wheat Germ Agglutinin for 5 passages with the original cell line. All cell lines retained their ability to bind both lectins and to grow after subcutaneous implant; however, the lectin resistant after subcutaneous implant; however, the lectin resistant variant was found to have completely lost its capacity to nidate in the lung.