Adhesion of polysaccharides to intact cells and protoplasts of Nicotiana tabacum BY-2 and its stimulative effect on protoplast growth

The adhesion of water-soluble beta-D-glucans, including cellulose-adhesive schizophyllan, xyloglucan, and locust bean gum to intact cells and protopla sts of Nicotiana tabacum BY-2 was examined using their fluorescent derivati ves. Fluorescence microscopy showed that schizophyllan, xyloglucan, locust bean gum, and xanthan gum bound to the intact cells, and that schizophyllan , xanthan gum, and succinoglycan bound to the protoplasts. These adhesive b eta-D-glycans raised considerably the number of the cells regenerated from protoplasts. The results suggest that some water soluble beta-D-glycans sho wing affinity for intact cells and/or protoplasts will be suitable for use as stabilizers of protoplast division.