Chitin and glucans detected in the cell walls of Pythium dimorphum—an oomycetous fungus |
| |
Authors: | F O Asiegbu A Lnneborg M Johansson |
| |
Institution: | F. O. Asiegbu,A. Lönneborg,M. Johansson |
| |
Abstract: | With aid of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and gold-labelled lectins, together with antibodies against chitinase and β-1,3-glucanases, the spatial distribution of chitin and glucans in hyphal walls of Pythium dimorphum, a causative agent of root die-back disease of conifer seedlings was studied. Contrary to previous reports, this study revealed that chitin, a polymer of N-acetyl-d -glucosamine, is a component of the cell wall of this oomycetous fungus. However, compared with the other amino sugar, N-acetyl-galactosamine, it is not present in significant amounts. Ultrastructural and labelling studies demonstrated that the chitin region is embedded in or masked by glucan residues. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|