LOCALIZATION OF CHITIN IN THE CELL-WALL OF CANDIDA-ALBICANS BY MEANS OF WHEAT-GERM-AGGLUTININ - FLUORESCENCE AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDIES

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  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 26  (1) , 121-128
Abstract
Cytochemical localization of wheat germ agglutinin binding sites in the cell wall of C. albicans was investigated with fluorescence and electron microscopy. Various analytical techniques were employed in order to obtain a good penetration of the cytochemical markers, glycosylated horseradish peroxidase or glycosylated ferritin. In blastospores sectioned by cryostatic methods, a weak and continuous labeling of the blastospore periphery was observed with peroxidase, whereas bud scars and inner cell wall areas were labeled with ferritin. Following enzymatic treatment with pronase whose efficiency was followed by the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-Ag proteinate technique, the inner cell wall layers of the bud are strongly stained with both fluorescein and the reactions products of peroxidase. After pronase-chitinase treatment, fluorescence was observed only in the mother cell wall. Finally, ultrathin glycol methacrylate sections showed a labeling both in inner and outer layers. Apparently, chitin was essentially distributed in the inner wall layers near the plasmalemma and in a smaller amount in outer wall layers. On the basis of the present findings, a hypothesis of wall assembly is proposed.