Possible surface carbohydrates involved in signaling during conjugation process in Zygnema cruciatum monitored with fluorescein isothiocyanate-lectins (Zygnemataceae, Chlorophyta)

Abstract

The changes of cell surface carbohydrates were examined with FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate)-labeled lectins during the conjugation process of the green alga Zygnema cruciatum. The Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA)-specific materials were detected consistently on the surface of vegetative cells, but were absent on the surface of protruding papillae or conjugation tube. The tips of male and female papillae were labeled with soybean agglutinin (SBA) and peanut agglutinin (PNA) during conjugation. The SBA- and PNA-specific materials appeared first at the tip of male papillae and began to accumulate on the surface of female papillae. No labeling of these lectins was detected on the surface of ve..