CHITIN AND GLUCANS DETECTED IN THE CELL-WALLS OF PYTHIUM-DIMORPHUM - AN OOMYCETOUS FUNGUS

With aid of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and gold-labelled lectin s, together with antibodies against chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanases, the spatial distribution of chitin and glucans in hyphal walls of Pyt hium dimorphum, a causative agent of root die-back disease of conifer seedlings was studied. Contrary to previous reports, this study reveal ed that chitin, a polymer of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, is a component of the cell wall of this oomycetous fungus. However, compared with the o ther amino sugar, N-acetyl-galactosamine, it is nor present in signifi cant amounts. Ultrastrucrural and labelling studies demonstrated that the chitin region is embedded in or masked by glucan residues.