LECTIN-BINDING TO OLFACTORY SYSTEM IN A SHARK, SCYLIORHINUS-CANICULA

Lectin histochemical studies were performed on the olfactory system of Scyliorhinus canicula to identify specific glycoconjugates on the cel l surface of primary olfactory neurons. The olfactory receptor cells, the olfactory nerve fibers and their terminals in the bulbs were label led with SBA, BSA-I and BSA-I-B4. The lectin staining patterns indicat e that the membranes of small-spotted catshark olfactory neurons had g lycoproteins with alpha-galactose residues. This carbohydrate moiety c ould be related to modulation of the cell-cell interactions in the olf actory system.