LECTIN-BINDING OF FLAGELLAR SCALE-ASSOCIATED GLYCOPROTEINS IN DIFFERENT STRAINS OF TETRASELMIS (CHLOROPHYTA)

The lectin-binding properties of flagella were investigated in differe nt Tetraselmis strains by immunofluorescence microscopy. The majority of Tetraselmis strains bound only GNA (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin; s pecific for terminal mannose linked 1 --> 2, 3, 6 to mannose), whereas a subset of Tetraselmis strains (24 of 142 strains) bound GNA and PNA (peanut agglutinin; specific for galactose linked 1 --> 4 to N-acetyl galactosamine). Flagellar scales were isolated from two strains exhibi ting different lectin-binding properties. Electrophoretic analysis of scale-associated glycoproteins revealed different glycoprotein profile s in the two strains. Glycosidase treatment of scale-associated glycop roteins and electrophoretic analysis in combination with lectin blots showed the presence of N-glycosidic carbohydrates for both strains. Wh ereas the scale-associated glycoproteins of T, striata display mainly high mannose glycans, complex glycans are abundantly present on scale- associated glycoproteins of T, chui. PNA binding to the flagella of T, chui can be attributed to five high-molecular-weight glycoproteins.