Ultrastructural localization of N-acetylglucosamine residues in the cell wall of Gigaspora margarita throughout its life-cycle.
The cell ultrastructure of the VAM fungus Gigaspora margarita was examined, and its N-acetylglucosamine content and distribution were assessed by means of WGA/ovomucoid-gold labelling. The various ontogenic stages of the fungus were studied with particular reference to cell walls. The results provide new information on chitin incorporation during spore wall development. A decrease of chitin was observed which was correlated to the structural simplification of the fungus wall throughout its life-cycle. This suggests an involvement of chitin in specific biological functions such as mechanical resistance and plasticity.
Grandmaison
J
J
Département des Sols, Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation, Université Laval, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada.
Benhamou
N
N
Furlan
V
V
Visser
S A
SA
D000117:Acetylglucosamine / Q000032:analysis*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005658:Fungi / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006046:Gold; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010059:Ovomucin; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013559:Symbiosis; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins
D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; D010059:Ovomucin; D006046:Gold; D005944:Glucosamine; D000117:Acetylglucosamine