title: Ultrastructural localisation of carbohydrates in four myxosporean parasites.
abstract: The existence and localisation of carbohydrates in four myxosporean parasites was investigated at transmission electron microscope, using lectin histochemistry techniques. The Myxosporea studied showed different lectin binding patterns. N-acetyl-glucosamine or its polymers were predominant in the valves of Leptotheca sp. and were also present in Sphaerospora dicentrarchi and Polysporoplasma sparis ones. Mannose and/or glucose terminals were mainly detected in S. dicentrarchi and P. sparis valves. Polar capsule walls were intensively recognised by Con-A is S. dicentrarchi and with medium intensity in P. sparis and Leptotheca sp. The polar filament was scarcely labelled except in Leptotheca sp. with BS-I. The sporoplasms of the studied parasites were stained with all the lectins tested with each myxosporea, except those of Leptotheca sp. with BS-I. Some structures of the developmental stages of Zschokkella mugilis and Leptotheca sp. were stained with BS-I. The possible role of these carbohydrate terminals found in the studied Myxosporea is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Acuicultura Torre de la Sal (CSIC), Castellón, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sitjà-Bobadilla
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Pellitero
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001492:Bass; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis*; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D005880:Gills / Q000469:parasitology; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000662:veterinary; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D013170:Spores / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D037102:Lectins