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Germ Agglutinin (germ + agglutinin)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	70%
Medical Sciences	11%
Chemistry	11%

Kinds of Germ Agglutinin

wheat germ agglutinin

Selected Abstracts

Inhibition of Vorticetta microstoma Stalk Formation by Wheat Germ Agglutinin

THE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2004
MICHAEL G. BRAMUCCI
ABSTRACT Fluorescently labeled conjugates of wheat germ agglutinin and concanavalin A stained the contractile stalk but not the cell body of Vorticetta microstoma trophonts. Binding of the fluorescent conjugants did not noticeably alter the activity of the trophonts. However, unconjugated wheat germ agglutinin prevented free swimming telotrochs from adhering to a glass surface and deploying a contractile stalk during differentiation into trophonts. These observations indicated that the stalk, the material that binds the stalk to surfaces, and the precursors for these components have saccharide residues in common. [source]

Identification of rat urinary glycoproteome captured by three lectins using gel and LC-based proteomics

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 21 2008
Pyong-Gon Moon
Abstract Many different types of urine proteome studies have been done, but urine glycoprotein studies are insufficient. Therefore, we studied the glycoproteins from rat urine, which could be used to identify biomarkers in an animal model. First, urinary proteins were prepared by using the dialysis and lyophilizing methods from rat urine. Glycoproteins enriched with lectin affinity purification, concanavalin A, jacalin and wheat germ agglutinin from the urinary proteins were separated by means of reverse-phase fast protein LC (FPLC) or 1-D PAGE. Each FPLC fraction and 1-D PAGE gel band were trypsin-digested and analyzed by means of nanoLC-MS/MS. LC-MS/MS analyses were carried out by using linear ion trap MS. A total of 318 rat urinary glycoproteins were identified from the FPLC fractions and gel bands; approximately 90% of identified proteins were confirmed as glycoproteins in Swiss-Prot. Many glycoproteins, known as biomarkers, including C-reactive protein, uromodulin, amyloid beta A4 protein, alpha-1-inhibitor 3, vitamin D-binding protein, kallikrein 3 and fetuin-A were identified in this study. By studying urinary glycoproteins collected from rat, these results may help to assist in identifying urinary biomarkers regarding various types of disease models. [source]

A micropillar-integrated smart microfluidic device for specific capture and sorting of cells

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 24 2007
Yan-Jun Liu
Abstract An integrated smart microfluidic device consisting of nickel micropillars, microvalves, and microchannels was developed for specific capture and sorting of cells. A regular hexagonal array of nickel micropillars was integrated on the bottom of a microchannel by standard photolithography, which can generate strong induced magnetic field gradients under an external magnetic field to efficiently trap superparamagnetic beads (SPMBs) in a flowing stream, forming a bed with sufficient magnetic beads as a capture zone. Fluids could be manipulated by programmed controlling the integrated air-pressure-actuated microvalves, based on which in situ bio-functionalization of SPMBs trapped in the capture zone was realized by covalent attachment of specific proteins directly to their surface on the integrated microfluidic device. In this case, only small volumes of protein solutions (62.5,nL in the capture zone; 375,nL in total volume needed to fill the device from inlet A to the intersection of outlet channels F and G) can meet the need for protein! The newly designed microfluidic device reduced greatly chemical and biological reagent consumption and simplified drastically tedious manual handling. Based on the specific interaction between wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and N -acetylglucosamine on the cell membrane, A549 cancer cells were effectively captured and sorted on the microfluidic device. Capture efficiency ranged from 62 to 74%. The integrated microfluidic device provides a reliable technique for cell sorting. [source]

Central sprouting of uninjured small fiber afferents in the adult rat spinal cord following spinal nerve ligation

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 7 2004
Jian Hu
Abstract Partial nerve injury results in chronic pain that is difficult to treat effectively. To investigate the anatomic basis of this phenomenon we used wheat germ agglutinin,horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) to label the central projections of uninjured small fibers (A, and C) in a well-established model of neuropathic pain created by selective spinal nerve ligation in the adult. We found extensive sprouting of uninjured WGA-HRP-labeled afferents into the central termination field in lamina II of dorsal horn normally occupied by L5 afferents whose peripheral axons had been ligated distal to the dorsal root ganglion. The formation of new projections by uninjured fibers into a functionally but not anatomically deafferented field in the adult may play a role in the development of chronic pain. [source]

Transcriptional signatures in response to wheat germ agglutinin and starvation in Drosophila melanogaster larval midgut

INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
H.-M. Li
Abstract One function of plant lectins such as wheat germ agglutinin is to serve as defences against herbivorous insects. The midgut is one critical site affected by dietary lectins. We observed marked cellular, structural and gene expression changes in the midguts of Drosophila melanogaster third instar larvae that were fed wheat germ agglutinin. Some of these changes were similar to those observed in the midguts of starved D. melanogaster. Dietary wheat germ agglutinin caused shortening, branching, swelling, distortion and in some cases disintegration of the midgut microvilli. Starvation was accompanied primarily by shortening of the microvilli. Microarray analyses revealed that dietary wheat germ agglutinin evoked differential expression of 61 transcripts; seven of these were also differentially expressed in starved D. melanogaster. The differentially transcribed gene clusters in wheat germ agglutinin-fed larvae were associated with (1) cytoskeleton organization; (2) digestive enzymes; (3) detoxification reactions; and (4) energy metabolism. Four possible transcription factor binding motifs were associated with the differentially expressed genes. One of these exhibited substantial similarity to MyoD, a transcription factor binding motif associated with cellular structures in mammals. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that wheat germ agglutinin caused a starvation-like effect and structural changes of midgut cells of D. melanogaster third-instar larvae. [source]

Lectin histochemical studies on the olfactory epithelium and vomeronasal organ in the Japanese striped snake, Elaphe quadrivirgata

JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 10 2010
Daisuke Kondoh
Abstract The olfactory epithelium and the vomeronasal organ of the Japanese striped snake were examined by lectin histochemistry. Of the 21 lectins used in the study, all lectins except succinylated-wheat germ agglutinin (s-WGA) showed similar binding patterns in the vomeronasal receptor cells and the olfactory receptor cells with varying intensities. The binding patterns of s-WGA varied among individuals in the vomeronasal and olfactory receptor cells, respectively. Four lectins, Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin-II (BSL-II), Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), Sophora japonica agglutinin (SJA), and Erythrina cristagalli lectin (ECL) stained secretory granules and the organelles in the olfactory supporting cells and did not stain them in the vomeronasal supporting cells. These results suggest that the glycoconjugate moieties are similar in the vomeronasal and olfactory receptor cells of the Japanese striped snake. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Interactions of Enzymes and a Lectin with a Chitin-Based Graft Copolymer Having Polysarcosine Side Chains

MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE, Issue 6 2004
Rikiya Nakamura
Abstract Summary: The molecular-recognition abilities of a water-soluble chitin derivative, chitin- graft -polysarcosine (2) were investigated using chitinase, lysozyme, and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). The enzymatic degradabilities of 2 were evaluated using chitinase and lysozyme. The molecular weight of those compounds of 2 with a higher affinity toward water decreased rapidly, as compared with partially deacetylated chitin (1). The 1H NMR spectrum of the low-molecular-weight fraction, yielded after lysozymic hydrolysis, indicated that saccharide residues in the chitinous backbone were specifically recognized by the lysozyme, then , -glycosidic linkages in the backbone were selectively hydrolyzed. Furthermore, the molecular-recognition ability of the chitinous backbone of graft copolymer 2 toward the lectin WGA was elucidated by the enzyme-linked lectin-binding assay (ELLA). It was revealed that the graft copolymer with a lower degree of substitution (DS) value efficiently interacted with WGA. Interestingly, a graft copolymer having longer polysarcosine side chains showed higher recognition ability toward WGA than that having short side chains. The structure of the graft copolymer, chitin- graft -polysarcosine 2, used here. [source]

Differential expression of glycans in the hippocampus of rats trained on an inhibitory learning paradigm

NEUROPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2006
Alejandra Hidalgo
The glycan chains of glycoconjugates play important roles in cell,cell and cell,matrix interactions. In the CNS, previous studies on learning and memory suggest the importance of oligosaccharides attached to glycoconjugates in the modulation of synaptic connections. We studied the hippocampal glycan distribution of rats subject to an inhibitory avoidance task. The expression of glycans was examined by lectin-histochemistry using Vicia villosa lectin (VVL) for terminal ,/, N-acetylgalactosamine (,/, GalNAc); Galanthus nivalus lectin (GNL) for terminal mannose ,-1,3 (Man ,-1,3); Peanut agglutinin (PNA) for galactose ,-1,3N-acetylgalactosamine (Gal ,-1,3 GalNAc); Erythrina cristagalli lectin (ECL) for galactose ,-1,4 N-acetylglucosamine (Gal ,-1,4 GlcNAc); Sambucus nigra lectin (SNA) for sialic acid ,-2.6 galactose (SA ,-2,6 Gal); Maackia amurensis lectin II (MAL II) for sialic acid ,-2,3 (SA ,-2,3); Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) for terminal N-acetylglucosamine with/without sialic acid (GlcNAc wo SA); succynilated WGA (sWGA) for terminal N-acetylglucosamine without sialic acid (terminal GlcNAc without SA); Griffonia simplicifolia lectin II (GSL II) for terminal ,/, N-acetylglucosamine (,/, GlcNAc terminal); and Lotus tetragonolobus lectin (LTL) ,,fucose. Two groups of 10 animals were examined: non-trained (Control) and Trained rats. ECL, sWGA and GSL II were negative for both groups in all the hippocampal subfields studied. For both groups, VVL was negative in CA4 and granular cells of the Dentate Gyrus (DG) and LTL was negative in the CA4 subfield. Expression of ,/, GalNAc, , -fucose and GlcNAc in other hippocampal subfields was positive, with no differences between groups. However, expression of Man ,-1,3 was significantly higher in the CA1, CA2, CA3, and CA4 subfields in the Trained group. On the other hand, expression of Gal ,-1,3 GalNAc was significantly low in CA4 and DG in the Trained group. In conclusion, the results here presented indicate that the exposure of rats to an associative behavioral paradigm related to declarative memory, involves some regulatory mechanism/s for the differential patterns of glycan expression. [source]

A histopathological and lectin-histochemical study of the lining epithelium in postoperative maxillary cysts

ORAL DISEASES, Issue 5 2002
M Maruyama
OBJECTIVE:,Histopathological and lectin-histochemical characteristics were studied in the lining epithelium of postoperative maxillary cysts (POMC). MATERIALS AND METHODS:,Histological (HE, PAS, AB), immunohistochemical (CD3 and L26) and lectin (wheat germ agglutinin, WGA; Ulex europaeus agglutinin I, UEA-I; concanavalin A, ConA) stainings were performed in the 360 POMC specimens. The number of goblet cells and inflammatory cells was counted and statistically analyzed. RESULTS:,The lining epithelium was classified into three types based on histopathological characteristics; pseudostratified ciliated epithelium (pSCE), transitional epithelium (TE) and stratified squamous epithelium (SSE). Local infiltration of inflammatory cells into the cyst wall was associated with an increased number of goblet cells in the lining epithelium. The observed association between the infiltration of inflammatory cells and an increase in the number of goblet cells was statistically significant in groups with lining pSCE and TE. Glycoconjugate histochemical analysis revealed that the surfaces of the lining epithelium with squamous metaplasia showed an increased degree of staining reactivity with UEA-I, whereas the staining reactivity with ConA was reduced. Goblet cells were able to be stained with WGA and UEA-I, but showed extremely low reactivity with ConA. CONCLUSION:,Changes in the glycoconjugate expression of the metaplastic lining epithelium and goblet cell development play an important role in the local defense mechanisms against inflammatory factors in POMC. [source]

Appearance of Crypt Neurons in the Olfactory Epithelium of the Skate Raja clavata During Development

THE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 10 2007
Sara Ferrando
Abstract Crypt neurons are olfactory receptor cells located in the olfactory epithelium of fishes. They exhibit a peculiar and well-recognizable morphology, although their odorant specificity is still unknown. Data on their appearance during development are few and far between. This study set out to identify the time at which crypt neurons appeared in the skate, Raja clavata, using histological and immunohistochemical methods. For this purpose, embryos and juveniles at different stages of development, from 13 weeks after laying (11 weeks before hatching) to 24 weeks after hatching, were examined. The crypt neurons were identified on a morphological basis. An anti,,-tubulin antibody and two lectins (wheat germ agglutinin and peanut agglutinin) were used to highlight morphological details. The olfactory marker protein was detected by immunohistochemistry, because this protein is a marker of neuronal maturity in vertebrates. The crypt neurons could be detected by their morphology at 15 weeks after laying and became strongly olfactory marker protein immunoreactive 22 weeks after laying. Although involvement of crypt neurons in reproductive behavior has been inferred in various studies on bony fishes, their early presence in skate embryos and juveniles may suggest that they are not exclusively involved in sexual behavior. Anat Rec, 290:1268-1272, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Inhibition of Vorticetta microstoma Stalk Formation by Wheat Germ Agglutinin

Afferent and Efferent Connections of the Nucleus Geniculatus Lateralis Ventralis Demonstrated by WGA-HRP in the Chick

ANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 4 2004
M. Hu
Summary Fibre connections of the chick nucleus geniculatus lateralis ventralis (GLv) were investigated using the axonal tracing method with wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP). After an injection of WGA-HRP into the GLv, many labelled neurons were observed in layer i of the stratum griseum et fibrosum superficiale (SGFS) in the ipsilateral tectum opticum (TO) and in the nucleus lentiformis mesencephali (LM). In the TO-GLv projection, cells of origin were located in the deeper part of layer i of the TO and were topographically distributed along the direction from the rostrodorsal part to the caudoventral part of the TO relating to a rostrocaudal axis of the GLv. In the LM-GLv connection, the dorsal and ventral parts of the LM connected reciprocally with the rostral and caudal halves of the GLv, respectively. In contrast, in the GLv efferent connection, labelled axon terminals spread widely in the ipsilateral area pretectalis without any clear topographical arrangement. [source]

Effect of lectins on the transport of food ingredients in Caco-2 cell cultures

BIOFACTORS, Issue 1-4 2004
Y. Ohno
Abstract We investigated the effect of several lectins, such as soy bean lectin (SBA), concanavalin A (Con A), and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), on the transport of some food ingredients (isoflavones, quercetin glycosides, carnosine/anserine) across Caco-2 cell monolayers. After incubation of food ingredients (0.03,2 mmol/L) in the presence or absence of lectins (1,180 ,/ml) on the apical side, aliquots were taken from the apical and basolateral solution, and were subjected to HPLC analysis. We also examined the effect of lectins on the permeability of the tight junction by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) value of the Caco-2 cell monolayer. Isoflavones, which was not transported to the basolateral solution without lectins, could be transported in the presence of lectins, whereas their aglycones were detected at the same levels with or without the lectin treatment. The transport of quercetin glycosides also increased in the presence of lectins, however, that of peptides was not affected by the lectins. Con A and WGA, but SBA, decreased the TER value, indicating that Con A and WGA increased the transport via paracellular pathway, whereas SBA did via a different pathway. [source]

Multiple three-dimensional mammalian cell aggregates formed away from solid substrata in ultrasound standing waves

BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2009
Larisa A. Kuznetsova
Abstract Single and multiple three-dimensional cell aggregates of human red blood cells (RBCs) and HepG2 cells were formed rapidly in low mega-Hertz ultrasound standing wave fields of different geometries. A single discoid aggregate was formed in a half-wavelength pathlength resonator at a cell concentration sufficient to produce a 3D structure. Multiple cell aggregates were formed on the axis of a cylindrical resonator with a plane transducer (discoid aggregates); in a resonator with a tubular transducer and in the cross-fields of plane and tubular transducers and two plane orthogonal transducers (all cylindrical aggregates). Mechanically strong RBC aggregates were obtained by crosslinking with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA, a lectin). Scanning electron microscopy showed aggregate surface porous structures when RBCs were mixed with WGA before sonication and tighter packing when ultrasonically preformed aggregates were subsequently exposed to a flow containing WGA. HepG2 cell aggregates showed strong accumulation of F-actin at sites of cell,cell contact consistent with increased mechanical stability. The aggregates had a porous surface, and yet confocal microscopy revealed a tight packing of cells in the aggregate's inner core. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source]

Probing Lectin and Sperm with Carbohydrate-Modified Quantum Dots

CHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 10 2005
Anandakathir Robinson Dr.
Abstract We report the encapsulation of quantum dots with biologically important ,- N -acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) in different ratios, together with studies of their specific/sensitive multivalent interactions with lectins and sperm by fluorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering microscopy, confocal imaging techniques, and flow cytometry. These GlcNAc-encapsulated quantum dots (QDGLNs) specifically bind to wheat germ agglutinin, and cause fluorescence quenching and aggregation. Further studies of QDGLNs and the mannose-encapsulated QDs (QDMANs) with sperm revealed site-specific interactions, in which QDGLNs bind to the head of the sperm, while QDMANs spread over the whole sperm body. [source]

A New 4.0-Generation Dendrimer Phosphorescence Labeling Reagent and Its Application to Determination of Trace Alkaline Phosphatase by Affinity Adsorption Solid Substrate-room Temperature Phosphorimetry

CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2007
Zhi-Ming LI
Abstract A Triton X-100-4.0G-D (4.0G-D refers to a 4.0-generation dendrimer) was brought forward as a new phosphorescence labeling reagent. Two types of specific affinity adsorption (AA) reactions (direct method and sandwich method) were carried out between the labeling product of Triton X-100-4.0G-D-Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), the product of AA reaction preserved the good characteristics of room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of 4.0G-D and ,IP of the product was proportional to the content of ALP. According to the fact stated above, a new method for the determination of trace ALP by affinity adsorption solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry (AA-SS-RTP) was established on the basis of WGA labeled with the Triton X-100-4.0G-D. The detection limits were 0.20 ag·spot,1 (corresponding concentration: 5.0×10,16 g·mL,1, namely 5.0×10,18 mol·L,1) for a direct method and 0.14 ag·spot,1 (corresponding concentration: 3.5×10,16 g·mL,1, namely 3.5×10,18 mol·L,1) for a sandwich method, respectively. For their high sensitivity, good repeatability and high accuracy, the direct method and sandwich method have been successfully applied to determine the content of ALP in human serum, and the results were coincided with the clinical detection results of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method by the Zhangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Meanwhile, the mechanism for the determination of trace ALP by AA-SS-RTP was discussed. [source]