The distribution of binding by isolectin I-B4 from Griffonia simplicifolia in the trigeminal ganglion and brainstem trigeminal nuclei in the rat.

The distribution of binding by the isolectin I-B4 from Griffonia simplicifolia in the rat trigeminal system has been investigated. This lectin binds to a sub-population of small-diameter trigeminal ganglion neurons. Double-labelling studies revealed that this lectin bound to all the trigeminal ganglion neurons containing somatostatin, whereas it bound to less than 25% of those containing calcitonin gene-related peptide or substance P. In the brainstem this lectin gave terminal-like staining in only the sub-nucleus caudalis of the trigeminal nuclei. In this nucleus, staining was most dense in the inner part of lamina II. Morphometric studies suggest that this lectin and that from the soybean recognize the same population of cells. The relationship of this data to those obtained in other studies using markers binding to glycoconjugates with a terminal alpha-galactose is discussed.