SPECIFIC INTERACTION BETWEEN LEX AND LEX DETERMINANTS - A POSSIBLE BASIS FOR CELL RECOGNITION IN PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYOS AND IN EMBRYONAL CARCINOMA-CELLS

Abstract

The Lex determinant (Gal beta 1----4[Fuc alpha 1----3]GlcNAc-beta 1----R) has been implicated as having a role in mediating compaction of the mouse embryo at the morula stage (Fenderson, B., Zehavi, U., and Hakomori, S. (1984) J. Exp. Med. 160, 1591-1596). Here, we present evidence suggesting a role for Lex in F9 embryonal carcinoma cell adhesion and a mechanism for Lex recognition based on carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction. Homotypic aggregation of F9 cells was inhibited by lacto-N-fucopentaose III, and F9 cells showed a preferential interaction with Lex liposomes. The following observations suggest that the structure capable of recognizing Lex per se on F9 cells is Lex: (i) Cell surfac..