Change in glycoconjugate for the binding site of the lectin Ulex europeus 1 following malignant transformation of prostatic epithelium.

Immunoperoxidase techniques were used to detect Ulex europeus (UEA1) binding sites on benign and malignant prostatic epithelium. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and cryostat sections were compared. In benign epithelium, less than 10% of cells on FFPE sections but between 50 and 90% of cells on cryostat sections expressed UEA1 binding sites. In malignant epithelium, more than 90% of cells bound UEA1, irrespective of whether FFPE or cryostat sections were used. Lipid solvents are required for FFPE (but not cryostat) processing and may cause glycolipid extraction. Glycoproteins are not affected. These results suggest that the UEA1 binding site is predominantly glycolipid-based in benign prostatic epithelium but, following malignant transformation, becomes predominantly glycoprotein-based.