Fucosylated glycoconjugates in human dorsal root ganglion cells with unmyelinated axons.

The same subset of small neurons in human dorsal root ganglia (DRG) was recognized by both of the two probes binding to fucosylated residue. Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-1) lectin and anti-fucosyl GM1 antibody, although these probes bind to different glycoconjugates. UEA-1 lectin also bound to unmyelinated axons in DRG and in biopsied sural nerve, but not to any neurons or unmyelinated axons in the sympathetic ganglia. Thus UEA-1 lectin and anti-fucosyl GM1 antibody may be used as specific probes for primary sensory neurons with unmyelinated axons.