A member of the group of S-type lectins, variously known as CBP35, Mac-2, Laminin-Binding Protein, L-34, RL-29, etc., has been shown to reside in the nucleus of mammalian cells. This protein was shown some years ago to be associated with a ribonucleoprotein complex which was identified as hnRNP. Pilot experiments will be performed to address the possibility that the lectin is involved in splicing of nuclear pre mRNA. The idea that a galactoside-binding lectin is involved in the splicing of pre mRNA is a highly speculative one, for which presently available evidence is thin. If the proposed preliminary experiments provide further support for the hypothesis, the results would substantially alter current thinking in the areas of intracellular lectins and RNA processing.
