Effect of in vivo γ-irradiation on the binding of wheat germ agglutinin on lymphocyte plasma membranes

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta Vol. 883; no. 3; pp. 407 - 412
• Main Authors: Moullier, Philippe, Daveloose, Denis, Dubos, Michel, Leterrier, Francois, Hoebeke, Johan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.10.1986; Elsevier; North-Holland
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Biological effects of radiation; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cell Membrane - radiation effects; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gamma Rays; Ionizing radiation; Ionizing radiations; Lectin; Lymphocytes - metabolism; Lymphocytes - radiation effects; Male; Mitogen receptor; Rat lymphocyte; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Mitogen - radiation effects; Tissues, organs and organisms biophysics; Wheat Germ Agglutinins - metabolism; Lectin; Ionizing radiation; Mitogen receptor; Rat lymphocyte; Cell culture; Flow cytometry; Rat; Rodentia; Wheat germ; Molecular interaction; Fluorescence spectrometry; Vertebrata; Gamma irradiation; Mammalia; Animal; Agglutinin; Plasma membrane; Mitogen; Lymphocyte
• ISSN: 0304-4165; 0006-3002; 1872-8006
• DOI: 10.1016/0304-4165(86)90277-1

Using quantitative fluorimetry with fluoresceinated wheat germ agglutinin, we have been able to investigate in vivo gamma radiation-induced damage at the outer membrane level of rat splenic lymphocytes, namely damage to the glucosidic moieties of membrane glycoproteins and glycolipids. This paper demonstrates that below an irradiation level of 1 gray (Gy), removal of sialic acid is the major feature leading to new exposed specific binding sites for wheat germ agglutinin, since this lectin is specific for sialic acid and N- acetyl- D-glucosamine . Our studies also suggest that above 1 Gy of irradiation more internal damage occurs, since we observed a striking decrease in wheat germ agglutinin binding sites.