Endogenous beta-galactoside-binding lectin expression is suppressed in retinol-induced mucous metaplasia of chick embryonic epidermis

Carbohydrate specificity of a galectin from chicken liver (CG-16)

Owing to the expression of more than one type of galectin in animal tissues, the delineation of the functions of individual members of this lectin family requires the precise definition of their carbohydrate specificities. Thus, the binding properties of chicken liver galectin (CG-16) to glycoproteins (gps) and Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14 polysaccharide were studied by the biotin/avidin-mediated microtitre-plate lectin-binding assay and by the inhibition of lectin-glycan interactions with sugar ligands. Among 33 glycans tested for lectin binding, CG-16 reacted best with human blood group ABO (H) precursor gps and their equivalent gps, which contain a high density of D-galactopyranose(beta1-4)2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose [Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc] and Gal(beta1-3)GlcNAc residues at the non-reducing end, but this lectin reacted weakly or not at all with A-,H-type and sialylated gps. Among the oligosaccharides tested by the inhibition assay, the tri-antennary Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc (Tri-II) was the best. It was 2.1x10(3) nM and 3.0 times more potent than Gal and Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc (II)/Gal(beta1-3)GlcNAc(beta1-3)Gal(beta1-4)Glc (lacto-N-tetraose) respectively. CG-16 has a preference for the beta-anomer of Gal at the non-reducing end of oligosaccharides with a Gal(beta1-4) linkage >Gal(beta1-3)> or =Gal(beta1-6). From the results, it can be concluded that the combining site of this agglutinin should be a cavity type, and that a hydrophobic interaction in the vicinity of the binding site for sugar accommodation increases the affinity. The binding site of CG-16 is as large as a tetrasaccharide of the beta-anomer of Gal, and is most complementary to lacto-N-tetraose and Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc related sequences.

Description of a monomeric prototype galectin from the lizard Podarcis hispanica

Galectins are a continuously expanding family of beta-galactoside-binding lectins present in a variety of evolutionarily divergent animal species. Here we report, for the first time, that expression of galectins extends to the reptilia lineage of lizards. Up to five lactose-binding proteins were isolated from the lizard Podarcis hispanica by affinity chromatography on asialofetuin-Sepharose. The main component, which is most abundantly expressed in skin, was purified from this tissue and further characterized. Under native conditions the protein behaved as a monomer with a molecular mass of 14,500 Da and an isoelectric point of 6.3. Based on sequence homology of the 58 N-terminal amino acid residues with galectins, and on its demonstrated galactoside-binding activity, this lectin we named LG-14 (from Lizard Galectin and 14 kDa) is classified as a new member of the galectin family. LG-14 falls into and strengthen the still thinly populated category of monomeric prototype galectins.

Endogenous galectins and effect of galectin hapten inhibitors on the differentiation of the chick mesonephros

Galectins are galactoside-binding lectins. In the mesonephros of the chick embryo, the 16-kDa galectin is abundant in the glomerular and tubular basement membranes where it colocalizes with fibronectin and laminin. To test whether galectin-glycoprotein interactions could play a role in mesonephric development, the effects of the galectin hapten inhibitors thiodigalactoside (TDG) and lactose on the differentiation of the cultured mesonephros were investigated. When compared to control saccharide-free or maltose-treated cultures, mesonephroi cultured in the presence of TDG and lactose exhibited defects in tissue organization. These included a distorted tubule shape, pseudo-stratification of the tubular epithelium, and detachment of glomerular podocytes from the basement membrane. The presence of molecular differentiation markers in the developing mesonephros was investigated. In vivo, expression of the epithelial-specific cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin is restricted to differentiated tubular epithelial cells, whereas the intermediate filament protein vimentin is present in mesonephrogenic mesenchyme and is undetectable in tubular epithelial cells. In mesonephroi cultured in the absence of sugars or in the presence of maltose, the expression pattern of these two marker molecules resembles that found in the mesonephros in vivo. In contrast, in the mesonephroi cultured in the presence of TDG and lactose, the epithelial tubular cells expressing E-cadherin also express vimentin. Re-expression of vimentin in the tubular epithelial cells could indicate a partial reversal to a mesenchymal phenotype. Results suggest that galectin-glycoprotein interactions in the basement membrane are important in the maintenance of the renal epithelial phenotype. Dev Dyn 1999;215:248-263.

Galectin-7, a marker of all types of stratified epithelia

Galectin-7 is a 14-kDA member of the lectin family we have previously cloned in the human. Its expression was found at all stages of differentiation of the human epidermis and was reduced but not suppressed when oral metaplasia of reconstructed epidermis was induced by retinoic acid. This suggested that galectin-7 could be a marker of both keratinized and non-keratinized stratified epithelia. To ascertain this hypothesis, we cloned the rat and the mouse cDNAs and produced a specific antiserum raised against a synthetic peptide. The distribution of galectin-7 mRNAs and protein was studied by in situ hybridization and immunolabelling of various human, rat and mouse epithelia. Galectin-7 was found to be expressed in interfollicular epidermis and in the outer root sheath of the hair follicle, but not in the hair matrix, nor in the sebaceous glands. It was present in esophagus and oral epithelia, cornea, Hassal's corpuscles of the thymus, but not in simple and transitional epithelia. Galectin-7 can thus be considered as a marker of all subtypes of keratinocytes. In that respect it differs from both "basal-specific" keratins K5-K14 and from "suprabasal-specific" markers such as keratins K1-K10 and involucrin. Galectin-7 also differs from some desmosomal proteins, which are present in all types of epithelia and in myocardium. Galectin-7 was absent from cultured carcinoma cell lines and was reduced both in human carcinomas and in murine tumors produced with the two-stage carcinogenesis protocol.

Immunocytochemical localization of the protein reactive to human beta-1, 4-galactosyltransferase antibodies during chick embryonic skin differentiation

BACKGROUND

beta-1, 4-Galactosyltransferase (GalTase) transfers galactose from UDP-galactose to terminal N-acetylglucosamine in glycoconjugates and is located both in the Golgi apparatus and in the plasma membrane. The cell surface GalTase is thought to be involved in cell-to-cell recognition and cell-to-extracellular matrix interaction.

METHODS

By the use of specific monoclonal antibodies against human GalTase, changes in cell surface localization of the protein reactive to the antibodies in chick embryonic skin during its differentiation in vivo and in vitro were detected immunohistochemically at both light- and electron microscopic levels. The distribution of glycoconjugates having terminal N-acetylglucosamine residues was detected by staining with succinylated wheat germ agglutinin (s-WGA).

RESULTS

Under the light microscope, intense immunostaining was observed in the keratinized epidermis, particularly in the intermediate layer. Marked changes in the localization of the staining were observed in vitamin A-induced mucus-secreting skin, in which keratinization was suppressed. The localization of the immunostaining was in parallel with that of glycoconjugates having terminal N-acetylglucosamine residues. Immunoelectron microscopically the immunostaining was located on the cell surface and in the intercellular space of the desmosomes in the intermediate cells of the keratinized epidermis. However, the staining was not present on the cell surface but was detected on the limiting membrane of the mucous granules, in the mucous metaplastic epidermis. In contrast, the staining was always found in the Golgi apparatus in all of the cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the protein reactive to human GalTase antibody may be involved in chick epidermal differentiation.

Expression of the endogenous 14-kDa beta-galactoside-binding lectin galectin in normal human skin

The localization of an endogenous 14-kDa beta-galactoside-binding lectin (galectin) and its pattern of gene expression were examined in normal human skin by light- and electron microscopy. Under the light microscope, immunostaining of 14-kDa galectin was observed in the cell membrane of cells in the basal and spinous layers of the epidermis. Galectin was also found in the Langerhans cells, as shown by double labeling using anti-14-kDa galectin and anti-CD1a antibodies. In the dermis, immunostaining for the 14-kDa galectin was positive in the extracellular matrix and fibroblasts. At the electron-microscopic level of resolution, galectin was located primarily along the plasma membrane of keratinocytes, and in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of Langerhans cells in the epidermis, whereas in the dermis it was detected in the extracellular matrix and in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of fibroblasts. The gene expression of 14-kDa galectin was visualized by the HRP-staining method following in situ hybridization techniques. The expression was detected in the cytoplasm of cells in the basal and spinous layers of the epidermis; whereas, in the dermis, it was detected in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts. Moreover, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and lectin-blot analysis revealed that this galectin bound to glycoproteins of approximately 17, 62, and 72 kDa in the epidermis and to those of 29, 54, and 220 kDa in the dermis. The present study indicates that 1) normal human skin produces the beta-galactoside-binding 14-kDa galectin, and 2) this galectin is located in both the epidermis, particularly in the keratinocytes and Langerhans cells, and in the dermis. These results suggest that galectin is important for cell-cell contact and/or adhesion in the epidermis and for cell-extracellular matrix interaction in the dermis.

Changes in expression of two endogenous beta-galactoside-binding isolectins in the dermis of chick embryonic skin during development in ovo and in vitro

In order to elucidate the roles of metal-independent animal lectins, we systematically investigated changes in expression of 2 kinds of beta-galactoside-binding isolectins (MW 14 and 16 kDa) in the dermis of chick embryonic tarsometatarsal skin during the course of development. These lectins were immunohistochemically located at different stages of development both in ovo and in vitro by light and electron microscopy. Light-microscopic observation showed that while positive staining for the 14-kDa lectin was weak at days 8 and 10 it became intense after day 13. In contrast, staining for the 16-kDa lectin was intense at days 8, 10, and 13, but it became weak after day 17 when keratinization of the epidermis was completed. Immuno-electron-microscopic observation revealed that both the 14 and 16-kDa lectins were located on the basement membrane, in the extracellular matrix, and in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of dermal fibroblasts. Distribution of the 2 isolectins was also examined in cultured skin explants in vitro. The results were almost the same as those obtained in ovo when the skin explant was keratinized in the presence of hydrocortisone. However, in the skin explant where keratinization was prevented and mucous metaplasia was induced by the addition of vitamin A, the distribution of the 14-kDa lectin in the epidermis was significantly affected. These results indicate that (1) the expression of the 2 isolectins is differently regulated in both the dermis and epidermis, (2) the 16-kDa lectin is involved in the early stage of the formation of the dermis and the basement membrane and is replaced by the 14-kDa lectin as keratinization of the epidermis occurs, and (3) the expression of the 2 isolectins in the dermis is not significantly affected by the induction of mucous metaplasia, in contrast to their drastic changes in the epidermis.

Changes in expression of the endogenous beta-galactoside-binding 14-kDa lectin of chick embryonic skin during epidermal differentiation

Changes in the expression pattern of the gene for the endogenous beta-galactoside-binding 14-kDa lectin of chick embryo were examined immunohistochemically during epidermal differentiation in vivo and in vitro with special reference to detailed localization of the 14-kDa lectin. The gene expression was visualized by the HRP-staining method following in situ hybridization, in which sulfonated cDNA was employed as a probe. The 14-kDa lectin gene expression (mRNA) was detected mainly in the intermediate layer of the epidermis: it was faint in 13-day-old embryos, gradually increased in intensity during epidermal differentiation, and became intensely positive in 17-day-old embryo. The expression of the gene in skin explants was suppressed by vitamin A, which induces mucous metaplasia of the epidermis in vitro. The anti-14-kDa lectin reaction was positive mainly in the intermediate layer of the differentiating epidermis, coinciding chronologically with expression of the gene at the light microscopic level. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that the positive reaction was primarily localized in desmosomes, in tonofilament bundles anchored to the desmosomes, along the outer surface of the plasma membrane, and in the intercellular space. Essentially the same staining pattern was observed in differentiating epidermis in vitro. The positive reaction was markedly reduced in the epidermis in which differentiation had been suppressed in vitro by the addition of vitamin A.

Short term retinol treatment in vitro induces stable transdifferentiation of chick epidermal cells into mucus-secreting cells

Epidermal mucous metaplasia of cultured skin can be induced by treatment with excess retinol for several days (Fell 1957). In the induction of mucous metaplasia, retinol primarily affects the dermal cells and retinol-pretreated dermis can alter epidermal differentiation towards secretory epithelium (Obinata et al. 1987). In this work, we found that mucous metaplasia could be induced by culturing 13-day-old chick embryonic tarsometatarsal skin in medium containing retinol (20 μM) for only 8-24 h, followed by culture in a chemically defined medium (BGJb) without retinol or serum for 6 days. The application of cycloheximide together with retinol during the first 8 h of culture inhibited epidermal mucous metaplasia during subsequent culture for 6 days in BGJb, indicating that induction of a signal(s) in the dermis by excess retinol requires protein synthesis. However, the presence of 20 nM hydrocortisone (Takata et al. 1981) throughout the culture period did not inhibit retinol-induced epidermal mucous metaplasia of the epidermis. This indicates that a brief treatment of the skin with excess retinol determines the direction of epithelial differentiation toward secretory epithelium; this is a simpler in vitro system for the induction of epidermal mucous metaplasia than those established before.

Cell adhesive activity of two animal lectins through different recognition mechanisms

Cell adhesive activity of two animal lectins, frog (Rana catesbeiana) S-type 14K lectin and echinoidin (a C-type lectin from sea urchin plasma), was studied with human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells. RD cells attached to and spread on plastic plates coated with each lectin. Cell adhesion by the frog lectin was completely inhibited by the addition of lactose or asialofetuin glycopeptide. Echinoidin-induced cell adhesion was only inhibited by peptide GRGDS. Since echinoidin is known to contain an RGD-sequence, our results clearly indicate that this sequence is active as the cell adhesive signal. These results suggest that some of the animal lectins may function as a cell adhesive molecule rather than using the carbohydrate-recognition mechanism.

Purification and characterization of beta-galactoside binding lectin from frog (Rana catesbeiana) eggs

A beta-galactoside-binding lectin, a homodimer composed of 14kDa subunits, was purified from unfertilized eggs of the frog Rana catesbeiana by asialofetuin-Sepharose 4B affinity column chromatography. The lectin was solubilized from eggs by addition of neither haptenic sugar nor detergent and showed a unique characteristic that it requires neither Ca++ nor SH-reagent for its hemagglutination activity. However, the partial amino acid sequence indicated that the lectin belongs to a family of soluble 14kDa beta-galactoside-binding lectins (14K-lectin) widely distributed in vertebrates and classified as S type lectins. These results indicate that a 14K-lectin is present as the free form in unfertilized frog eggs, presenting the first structural evidence for the presence of a soluble 14K-lectin in the amphibian eggs.

Human breast carcinoma cDNA encoding a galactoside-binding lectin homologous to mouse Mac-2 antigen

A galactoside-binding lectin (Mr 29,000) has previously been identified in rat, mouse and human tissues. It is an abundant cell-surface component of inflammatory macrophages and their major non-integrin laminin-binding protein. It has also been found in the nucleus of other cell types. Here, we report the cloning and sequencing of a cDNA encoding the human galactoside-binding lectin from a breast carcinoma. The clone encodes a protein of 250 amino acids (aa) that is over 80% identical to its mouse and rat counterparts. The aa sequence has an N-terminal and a C-terminal, 'carbohydrate-binding', domain. The N-terminal domain consists of two parts. The first 41 aa are homologous to a transcription factor, i.e., the serum response factor. The adjacent part (aa 42-106) contains an unusual repeating element, that occurs seven times in human protein compared to nine times in rat and mouse. The C-terminal 'carbohydrate-binding' domain (aa 115-250) shows homology to L-14, another galactoside-binding lectin.

Stimulation by Bt2cAMP of epidermal mucous metaplasia in retinol-pretreated chick embryonic cultured skin, and its inhibition by herbimycin A, an inhibitor for protein-tyrosine kinase

Epidermal mucous metaplasia of cultured 13-day-old chick embryonic tarsometatarsal skin can be induced by culture in medium containing retinol (20 microM) for only 8-24 h and then in a chemically defined medium without vitamins or serum for 6 days. In the induction of mucous metaplasia, retinol primarily affects the dermal cells and a signal(s) induced in the dermis by excess retinol alters epidermal differentiation toward secretory epithelium. In this work we found that Bt2cAMP (2 mM) stimulated mucous metaplasia severalfold when added to retinol-pretreated skin but inhibited epidermal mucous metaplasia when added together with retinol. Forskolin (100 microM), an activator of adenylate cyclase, also stimulated mucous metaplasia when added to retinol-pretreated skin. On the other hand, transduction in the epidermal cells of a signal(s) induced in dermal cells by excess retinol was inhibited by herbimycin A (500 ng/ml), an inhibitor of protein-tyrosine kinases, and TPA (0.1 microM), an activator of protein kinase C. Hence these findings indicated that cAMP stimulated signal-induced mucous metaplasia, and that transduction of the signal(s) in the epidermal cells required protein-tyrosine kinase and was inhibited by protein kinase C.

Evidence for export of a muscle lectin from cytosol to extracellular matrix and for a novel secretory mechanism

A soluble lactose-binding lectin with subunit Mr of 14,500 is believed to function by interacting with extracellular glycoconjugates, because it has been detected extracellularly by immunohistochemistry. This localization has been questioned, however, since the lectin lacks a secretion signal sequence, which challenges the contention that it is secreted. We have demonstrated externalization of this lectin from C2 mouse muscle cells by both immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled protein and immunohistochemical localization. We further show that externalization of the lectin is a developmentally regulated process that accompanies myoblast differentiation and that the lectin codistributes with laminin in myotube extracellular matrix. Immunohistochemical localization during intermediate stages of externalization suggests that the lectin becomes concentrated in evaginations of plasma membrane, which pinch off to form labile lectin-rich extracellular vesicles. This suggests a possible mechanism for lectin export from the cytosol to the extracellular matrix.

The gastrulating chick blastoderm contains 16-kDa and 14-kDa galactose-binding lectins possibly associated with an apolipoprotein

Extracts from chick blastoderms were subjected to affinity chromatography on lactoside-Sepharose. Lactose-eluted fractions were examined by gradient SDS-PAGE with silver staining, as well as by immunoblot analysis using antibodies to the chicken galactose-binding lectins of 14 kDa and 16 kDa and to an apolipoprotein of chicken very low density lipoprotein (Apo-VLDL-II). Fractions containing the highest lectin activity contained four main bands. One, unidentified, comigrated with albumin; two bands were identified by immunoblotting as the 14-kDa and 16-kDa lectins. The fourth band comigrated with Apo-VLDL-II and in immunoblot analysis reacted with antibodies to this apolipoprotein. In our electrophoretic system this protein migrates close to bovine trypsin inhibitor and has an apparent molecular weight of 6500 +/- 500. The present studies establish the identity of this previously described 6.5 kDa protein (Zalik et al. J. Cell. Sci. 88, 483, 1987) as Apo-VLDL-II. While the 16-kDa lectin was present consistently in all the affinity-purified preparations, the relative frequencies of the 14-kDa lectin and Apo-VLDL-II varied. In sections of primitive streak blastoderms, lectin immunofluorescence was present in the lowest, most ventral area of the primitive groove and in the cells emerging laterally from the groove to form the endoderm. Cells of the extraembryonic endoderm also displayed high lectin immunoreactivity. The localization of the lectins is similar to the one described previously for Apo-VLDL-II. Double immunofluorescence staining indicates that Apo-VLDL-II and the lectin(s) colocalize. The copurification and colocalization of Apo-VLDL-II and the lectins in the chick blastoderm suggest that this apolipoprotein may associate with the galactose-binding lectins or may display lectin activity.

Modulation of galactoside-binding lectins in tumor cells by differentiation-inducing agents

The effects of the differentiation-inducing agents N6, O2'-dibutyryl cyclic AMP, beta-all-trans retinoic acid, dimethylsulfoxide and butyrate on the levels of galactoside-binding proteins (lectins) in cultured human and murine tumor cells were examined by immunoblotting. Differentiation was associated with decreased levels of a 34-kDa lectin in the K-1735P and B16-F1 melanoma cells and decreased levels of a 14.5-kDa lectin in S20 neuroblastoma, MDA-MB 175 breast carcinoma, HL-60 and THP-1 leukemia cells. The level of a 14.5-kDa lectin increased during differentiation of F-9 embryonal and KM12P colon carcinoma cells. These results indicate that tumor cell differentiation along specific pathways is accompanied by distinct modulation of lectin expression. These changes may recapitulate the normal developmental regulation of lectin expression.