Distribution and movement of concanavalin-A receptors on the surface of cancer cells from human effusions

The purpose of this paper is to describe the distribution and the movement of Concanavalin A (Con-A) binding sites on the surface of cancer cells from human effusions. Con-A was visible as a black granular electron dens deposit on the surface of the cells. In the previously fixed cells the Con-A appeared as a continuous granular black layer randomly distributed on the whole surface of the isolated cancer cells. In the clumps of cancer cells Con-A was present as continuous layer on the outer surfaces of the cells. No Con-A deposit could be seen on the surfaces of the cells inside the clumps. No change of Con-A distribution on the cells surfaces was observed even after 60 min. of incubation. The distribution of electron dens Con-A deposit was exactly the same as on the surface of glutaraldehyde fixed cells.