Actually, WGA binds to specific glycoproteins, and so it will 
frequently bind to the glycoproteins in membranes.  However, it will 
also bind to Golgi membranes, but in some cases, where the 
glycoprotein array is of different composition, it won't bind at all. 
 In those cases you might find that another lectin, such as ConA, 
will be better.  In all of these situations, though, the lectins will 
also bind to other glycosylated components of the extracellular 
matrix, so some caution is indicated.

Ideally, you might be interested in a lipid-binding compound, such as 
FM 4-64.  However, since your procedure extracts most lipids, this 
may not be a useful approach.

Joel

-------------- Original message ---------------

Is WGA specific to plasma membrane ?



Confocal Microscopy List <[log in to unmask]> wrote on 03/30/2009 07:47:09 AM:

> We use a WGA(wheat germ agglutinin) - ALEXA conjugate (Invitrogen)
> in muscle cross-sections.
>
> We apply this after our primary and secondary and get beautiful results.
>
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>
> ___________________________________________
>
> Christopher W. Ward Ph.D.
>
> Associate Professor
>
> University of Maryland Baltimore: School of Nursing
>
> 655 W. Lombard St.
>
> Rm 752
>
> Baltimore MD 21201
>
> 
>
> Ph: 410.706.3618
>
> Fax: 410.706.0399
>
> Skype: chrisward_umbaltimore
>
> 
>
> 
>
> 
>
> From:Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Fredrik Wermeling
> Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 10:44 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Membrane specific dye to be used in IHC
>
> 
>
> I know that people use cholera-toxin B-subunit conjugates to label
> lipid rafts. I think you can findit conjugated to severalalexa
> dyes. /fredrik
>
> --------------------------------------
> Fredrik Wermeling, PhD-student
> Karolinska Institutet
> Department of Medicine
> Unit of Clinical Allergy Research
> L2:04 Karolinska Hospital
> SE-171 76 Stockholm
> Sweden
>
> phone: +46-8-51776696
> mail: [log in to unmask]
> fax: +46-8-335724
>--------------------------------------
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Kim Anker Kristiansen <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Monday, March 30, 2009 3:07 pm
> Subject: Membrane specific dye to be used in IHC
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> > Dear Listers,
> >
> >
> >
> > I am looking for a membrane specific dye to use together with
> > antibodiesin IHC staining. We would like to set up a system where
> > we look at
> > receptors associated with the cell membrane, hence the membrane dye.
> >
> >
> >
> > We are doing cryo-sectioning, acetone fixation and TBS buffered
> > immunostaining.
> >
> >
> >
> > So my question is: What would be a good choice of dye to apply to the
> > already immunostained tissue?
> >
> >
> >
> > Cheers Kim
> >
> >
> >
> > Kim A. Kristiansen
> > Post Doc.
> > Glostrup Research Center
> > Department of Clinical Research
> > Glostrup Hospital
> > Ndr Ringvej 69
> > DK-2600 Glostrup
> > Denmark
> > Tel: +45 25219914
> > E-mail: [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
> >
> > 
--
Joel B. Sheffield, Ph.D.
Biology Department, Temple University
1900 North 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
[log in to unmask]  
(215) 204 8839, fax (215) 204 0486
http://astro.temple.edu/~jbs