Visualization of exocellular lectins in the entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus obscurus

Abstract

We demonstrated the presence of lectins binding to glucose and N-acetylglucosamine on the surface of Conidiobolus obscurus spores by using glycosylated serum albumins substituted with fluorescent dyes and colloidal gold. The role of these exocellular lectins was examined in relation to the adhesion of the fungal spores to their host insect and the pathogenicity of the fungus.