LECTIN BINDING SITES IN AXON-MYELIN-SCHWANN CELL COMPLEX

Abstract

The distribution of α-D-N-acetylgalactosamine residues on the membranes of axon-myelin-Schwann cell complexes of rabbit and rat sciatic nerves was visualized by means of a one-step method with HRP labelled soybean agglutinin. The compact myelin was found to be very rich in lectin binding sites whereas mesaxons and split myelin lamellae, as well as the Schwann cell plasma membrane were almost negative. The labelling of the axolemma was most pronounced in the nodal and paranodal regions. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in axons and glial cells were also labelled.