CO‐reversion of a lectin‐resistant mutation and non‐metastatic phenotype in murine tumor cells

Abstract

Three independent isolates, one obtained spontaneously and the others obtained after in vitro mutagenesis, of a WGA‐resistant mutation were compared to the highly metastatic parental murine cell line MDAY‐D2 for alterations in plasma membrane glycoproteins and changes in metastatic behavior. The mutants were non‐metastatic from an s.c. site of injection and poor organ‐colonizers when administered i.v. Each of the mutant lines had the same lesion in N‐linked oligosaccharide structure, which rendered the cells hypersensitive to the N‐acetylglucosamine‐binding lectin BSII in vitro. The phenotypic similarities between the 3 WGA‐resistant isolates indicated that the mutation was directly related to the attenuated malignant phenotype. Direct confirmation was obtained by the isolation of a BSII‐resistant clone of the mutant cells that co‐reverted for lectin‐sensitivity, lectin binding glycoproteins and malignant aggressiveness. The results indicate a direct relationship between malignant behavior and cell‐surface oligosaccharide structure.