Probing the functions of endogenous lectins: Effects of a monoclonal antibody against the neural crest-stage lectin of Xenopus laevis on trunk development

Trunk neural crest of Xenopus laevis has been confronted prior to migration with whole or fragments of a monoclonal antibody raised against the carbohydrate‐binding site of the endogenous neural crest‐stage galactoside binding lectin (Milos et al.: Anat. Embryol., 182:319–327 '90). External fin formation was inhibited in confronted regions but extensive internal matrix develops suggesting interiorization of fin tissue. In the regions of missing fin, the myotomes overgrew the neural tube and dorsal root ganglion neuronal numbers became more variable. Melanophore numbers in regions of missing fin did not change but a significantly greater proportion of the pigment cells localized on the muscle surface that had overgrown the neural tube suggesting that the pigment cell population redistributed itself to occupy a greater myotomal area. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.