EXPRESSION OF LECTIN RECEPTORS IN ASCITE EHRLICH TUMOR-CELLS UNDER MODIFIED POLYAMINE LEVELS

During decreased polyamine synthesis caused by D,L-difluoromethylornit ine (DFMO) Con A ability to agglutinate ascite Ehrlich tumor cells was considerably lowered. Addition of exogenous spermidine into medium le d to a rapid restoration of the abilities of tumor cell membrane to re act with Con A present in a system. The agglutination index increases almost to its initial value. Polyamine oxydase (PAO) does not change c onsiderably the agglutination index. By using the lectins of different structure in the cytochemical investigation it was shown that the num ber of receptors to each of the lectins in the cytomembrane was lowere d in polyamine-depleted cells. Combined treatment of the cells by DFMO and ascorbic acid enchances this effect. Different aspects of cell ag glutination in the presence of lectins and the influence of polyamines onto the dynamic viscosity of the membranes of tumor cells in connect ion with the receptor activity are discussed.