Lectin- and Immuno-Histochemistry on Mucous Substances of the Taste Buds and Lingual Glands in Some Mammals

The ABO blood group antigens were discovered at the beginning of this century. Although the biochemical and molecular-biochemical nature of the ABH and related antigens is now quite well characterized and it is presumed that they are concerned with oncodevelopmental and/or cell recognition phenomena(1), no clear explanation of the biological significance of these antigens has been proposed. Characterization of cells with regard to their surface and secretory glycoconjugates is important in order to understand the basis of their physiological and interactive behaviour. The taste buds of vertebrates are covered by mucous substances and it has been suggested that the carbohydrate residues of the mucous substances are essential for chemoreceptor processes in the function of taste buds. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the distribution of different types of carbohydrate antigens in the taste buds cells and lingual glands using monoclonal antibodies(MoAb) against blood group antigens and lectins conjugated with horseradish peroxidase(HRP).