Binding of cationized ferritin to the surface of the palatine crest in the rat

Recently, we suggested that the cell coat of the surface epithelial cells of the palatal shelves and especially its sialyl groups are implied in the adhesion process which initiates the constitution of the secondary palate. In this work, use of cationized ferritin which interacts with anionic receptors of the plasma membrane give us the possibility to render these sialic acids visible. After five minutes incubation in presence of cationized ferritin, the labeling particles are distributed in monolayer over the plasmalemma of epithelial cells. Subsequent incubation in cationized ferritin free medium results in clustering of the marker followed by the detachment of the labeled patches. Otherwise, incubation in the presence of neuraminidase from Clostridium perfringens before the polycationic ligand contact prevents labeling. We think that lateral migration modifications of the anionic receptor could be associated with changes of the shelves capacity to adhere