Lectin binding of flagellar scale-associated glycoproteins in different strains ofTetraselmis(chlorophyta)

Abstract

The lectin-binding properties of flagella were investigated in different Tetraselmis strains by immunofluorescence microscopy. The majority of Tetraselmis strains bound only GNA (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin; specific 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-acetylgalactosamine). Flagellar scales were isolated from two strains exhibiting different lectin-binding properties. Electrophoretic analysis of scale-associated glycoproteins revealed different glycoprotein profiles in the two strains. Glycosidase treatment of scale-associated glycoproteins and electrophoretic analysis in combination with lectin blots showed the presence of N-glycosidic carbohydrates for both strains. Whereas 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.