Varying expressions of lectin receptors within embryonic cell layers of murine cerebral cortex

The ability of prenatal cerebral tissue to bind different lectins was analyzed using cryostat sections of mouse brains. It was shown that the immature cells within the embryonic cell layers possess receptors for different lectins in varying amounts. Of all lectins tested, only PNL, RCL and LPL were bound on the outer cell membranes to a considerable degree. Although the labeling patterns of PNL and RCL are similar, the latter is additionally well detectable on the wall of cerebral blood vessels. Cells of the ventricular layer are moderately labeled by PNL, which recognizes beta-D-galactosyl (1-3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, but heavily labeled by LPL which binds to terminal sialic acid residues. Cells of the intermediate layer, on the other hand, are heavily stained PNL and only faintly by LPL. Hence it is suggested that the process of migration might be correlated to the removal of terminal sialic acid moieties from cell surface glycoconjugates, resulting in an exposure of the penultimate galactosyl residues.