A comparative ultrastructural localization of concanavalin A, wheat germ and Ricinus communis on glomeruli of normal rat kidney.

Three lectins, concanavalin A, peroxidase labeled wheat germ and peroxidase labeled Ricinus communis have been utilized to determine the localization of various saccharide determinants in the glomerulus of the normal rat kidney. In order to obtain a homogeneous penetration of the lectins throughout the whole section, various technical parameters were studied. Only with concanavalin A, a diffuse labeling of the endoplasmic reticulum was obtained. With the three lectins, the basement membrane, mesangial matrix and the cell coat of the three cell types in the glomerulus were labeled. Differences in the labeling of the capillary wall were also noted.