Binding sites for the plant lectin Bandeiraea simplicifolia I-isolectin B(4) are expressed by nociceptive primary sensory neurones

Abstract

Circumstantial evidence suggests that binding sites for the plant lectin Bandeiraea simplicifolia I-isolectin B(4) are expressed by nociceptive primary sensory neurones. In order to test this hypothesis directly, we have used a combination of intracellular staining of functionally characterised primary sensory neurones and lectin binding. Consistent with the hypothesis, none of the low threshold primary sensory neurones we sampled expressed lectin binding sites, whilst a subpopulation of the nociceptive neurones did.