Studies on the cell surface of zoospores and cysts of the fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi: Nature of the surface saccharides as determined by quantitative lectin binding studies

Abstract

The nature of the surface saccharides of zoospores, 'partially encysted fungus Phytophthora zoospores' and cysts of the root-rotting fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi, has been examined by quantitative lectin binding studies. Zoospores bound concanavalin A (Con A), but did not bind any of a variety of other lectins tested. In contrast, both cysts and 'partially encysted zoospores' bound soybean agglutinin (SBA) as well as Con A. This indicates that accessible α-D-glucosyl/α-D-mannosyl-containing glycoconjugates predominate at the zoospore surface, whereas both α-D-glucosyl/α-D-mannosyl and galastosyl and/or N-acetyl-D-galactosaminosyl residues are accessible at the surface of cysts and 'partially encysted zoospores'. Neither Ulex europeus lectin nor wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) bound to any of the three cell preparations, indicating the absence of accessible α-L-fucosyl and N-acetyl-D-glucosaminosyl residues.