The Visualization of Concanavalin a Binding Sites in Purkinje Cell Somata and Dendrites of Rat Cerebellum

The localization of concanavalin A (Con A) binding sites in Purkinje cell somata and dendrites has been studied using a peroxidase labeling technique. In the somata, the nuclear, Golgi, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes are rich in Con A binding sites. The hypolemmal cisternae, which are continuous with the ER from the soma and throughout the dendritic tree of Purkinje cells, are also rich in Con A binding sites. Other cisternae seen in these dendrites do not bind detectable amounts of Con A. The results suggest that a cisternal system, rich in carbohydrate, may be continuous from the nuclear envelope to distal dendritic segments of Purkinje cells. Such a system could play a role in the movement of materials from Purkinje somata to dendrites.