The expression of endogenous
lectins was compared in mouse Lewis lung
carcinomas growing in the kidney or subcutaneously. A panel of
carbohydrates coupled to a biotinylated carrier molecule (
bovine serum albumin), biotinylated
desialylated glycoproteins and sulfated
polysaccharides were used in histochemical assays to detect the presence and distribution of
carbohydrate receptors. Heterogeneous staining patterns were observed with most
carbohydrates in sections of
tumor tissue from both anatomic sites, and staining intensities also varied within each section. At least 2 populations of cells were identified at each site, of which one had receptors for all
carbohydrates, while the other had no receptors for
melibiose,
sialic acid, or alpha-
glucosides (
maltose and
glucose). There were quantitative differences in expression of endogenous
lectins by
tumors growing s.c. or in the kidney; 3LL cells growing in the kidney bound 6 out of 10
carbohydrates to a greater extent than 3LL cells in s.c.
tumors. Conversely, 3LL cells in s.c.
tumors bound
heparin and
asialofetuin to greater extents than
cancer cells in kidney
tumors. Biochemical analyses of
detergent extracts of tissues subjected to affinity chromatography and subsequent SDS-PAGE revealed quantitative and also qualitative differences in
lectins between
tumors growing in the 2 anatomic sites.