Effects of lectins on cytoskeleton and morphology or cultured chick embryo fibroblasts.

The microfilaments and microtubules of cultured chick embryo skin fibroblasts were studied in the presence of exogenous lectins by an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Lectin treatment induced modifications in the arrangement of myosin, actin and tubulin, determined depolymerization of the proteins and caused changes in cell shape and size. The results suggest that the interaction between lectins and their specific membrane receptors triggers a series of changes in the cytoskeletal pattern via transmembrana as yet unknown mechanisms and that these are responsible for the alterations in cell shape and size.