Changes in lectin-induced deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in cultures of chick-embryo fibroblasts at various stages of development.

Concanavalin A and Robinia pseudoacacia lectin decreased [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into acid-insoluble material of fibroblasts cultured from 6-10-day chick embryos. In contrast, these lectins stimulated [(3)H]thymidine incorporation in cells from 16-day embryos. These effects are due to neither [(3)H]thymidine permeability modification nor toxicity of the lectins. The specificity of lectin action was proved by blocking experiments with alpha-methyl mannopyranoside and with anti-(Robinia lectin) serum.