Abstract

This research was done to examine the interaction of lectins with glycoconjugates expressed on Primary CNS tumors using lectins from marine algal Bryothamnion seaforthii(BSL) and seeds of Erythrina velutina (EVL) Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled. Samples of different tumor types obtained from the Neurology Service of Sobral-Brazil were processed for histopathologic analysis. Samples were marked with complex lectin-FITC as follows: without any marking (G-I); or incubated with BSA-FITC (G-II), EVL-FITC (G-III), BSL-FITC (G-IV), EVL-FITC + 0.1 M galactose (G-V) or BSL-FITC denatured by heat (G-VI). The quantification of tumor marking was performed by fluorescence intensity. EVL-FITC became the images, more fluorescent than the negative control. There was difference (p < 0.01) in fluorescence intensity between G-II/G-IV and G-III/G-V. Comparing G-III/G-IV, higher fluorescence was observed in G-IV (p < 0.01). There was no difference (p > 0.05) when comparing G-II/G-V or G-IV/G-VI. These lectins have a potential as prognostic marker in primary central nervous system (CNS) tumor.

Key words: Marine algal lectins, central nervous system (CNS) tumor, protein-carbohydrate interactions.