INCORPORATION OF FUCOSE INTO CHICK BRAIN GLYCOPROTEINS: EFFECTS OF THE AMNESIC AGENT 2-DEOXYGALACTOSE

Abstract

The amnesic agent 2-deoxygalactose inhibited total exogenous [}4c}fucose incorporation into chick forebrain glycoproteins by 26%. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis showedthat intracerebrally injected [3H]2-deoxygalactose labelled the same eight major glycoprotein components as were identified by [4Cjfucose labelling. Between 4 and 24 hours after administration of [3H]2-deoxygalactose, the incorporated radioactivity was found predominantly at the synapticsites, some glycoproteins being more abundant in synaptic plasma membranesandothers in postsynaptic densities. The pattern of distribution varied according to the timeafter injection. One-trial passive avoidance training of chicks decreased fucose uptake into components of molecular mass 150-180 kilodaltons butsignificantly increased its uptake into glycoproteins of molecular mass 33 kilodaltons and 28 kilodaltons.