title: Inhibition of Vorticella microstoma stalk formation by wheat germ agglutinin.
abstract: Fluorescently labeled conjugates of wheat germ agglutinin and concanavalin A stained the contractile stalk but not the cell body of Vorticella microstoma trophonts. Binding of the fluorescent conjugants did not noticeably alter the activity of the trophonts. However, unconjugated wheat germ agglutinin prevented free swimming telotrochs from adhering to a glass surface and deploying a contractile stalk during differentiation into trophonts. These observations indicated that the stalk, the material that binds the stalk to surfaces, and the precursors for these components have saccharide residues in common.
authors.affiliation: Central Research and Development, DuPont Company, P.O. Box 80328, Wilmington, Delaware 19880-0328, USA. Michael.G.Bramucci@usa.dupont.com
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Bramucci
authors.forename: Vasantha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nagarajan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016798:Ciliophora / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; D003208:Concanavalin A