ISSN:
0091-7419
Keywords:
hamster spermatozoa
;
Concanavalin A
;
cell surface
;
acrosome
;
Life Sciences
;
Molecular Cell Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
The plasma membrane of epididymal spermatozoa of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) exhibits morphological differences over various parts of the head and tail as detected by air-dried replicas and freeze-etching techniques. In an attempt to ascertain whether any topographical differences exist in the number or distribution of carbohydrate moieties associated with the cell surface, cells were labeled with Concanavalin A and marked with hemocyanin.It was found that while the plasma membrane over the acrosomal region differed from that of the postacrosomal region in membrane components revealed by freeze fracturing, there was no apparent difference in the distribution or density of Con A binding sites detectable by hemocyanin localization. The tail regions exhibited differences in both fracture face appearance and the distribution of detectable carbohydrate moieties.It was also found that binding sites for Concanavalin A exist on the inner and outer acrosomal membranes in addition to those on the plasma membrane.
Additional Material:
21 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jss.400050207
