FUCOSYLATED GLYCOPROTEINS IN CHINESE-HAMSTER METAPHASE CHROMOSOMES

Distribution of fucosylated proteins in Chinese hamster metaphase chro mosomes was studied with a fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated monof ucosyl-specific lectin, Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA I). In situ b inding of UEA I showed that fucosylated chromosomal proteins are prefe rentially localized to two internal structural domains of metaphase ch romosomes: the helically coiled substructure of chromatids, and the Q- band regions. Corresponding proteins were identified in Western blots of isolated metaphase chromosomes. Several proteins with molecular wei ghts ranging from 33 to 195 kD were recognized by UEA I. These data su ggest that a subset of chromosomal proteins are fucosylated; they may have a role in the structural organization of chromosomes.