Abstract
Cell wall formation, terminating the differentiation of protoplasts from nucleate cap ray cytoplasm of Polyphysa (Acetabularia) cliftonii, is inhibited by concanavalin A (ConA), depending on its concentration. The effect is completely reversible by application of the hapten sugar αMM, but not by NAcGal. It is concluded that ConA binds to certain glycosylated surface components, thus preventing the growth of the wall-polysaccharide chains, predominantly cellulose, or their attachment to ‘priming’ components. Normally, cell wall formation and nuclear divisions are strictly correlated. ConA, however, dissociates cell wall formation from the mitotic events reversibly in that it suppresses wall formation and leaves mitosis unmolested. In general, therefore, ConA revealed no mitogenic effect in the plant system under investigation. In special, the ConA effect might be regarded as a strong stimulation of mitotic events in relation to the normally existing correlation between mitosis and the presence of cell wall.
Published Version
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