Ultrastructural localization of beta-D-galactan in the nuclei of the myxomycete Physarum polycephalum. 1978

M Horisberger, and D R Farr, and M Vonlanthen

The acellular slime mold Physarum polycephalum produces an extracellular sulfated and phosphorylated beta-D-galactan which was recently isolated from the nuclei of this organism. This polysaccharide has now been localized in the nuclei of P. polycephalum by electron microscopy using a specific "sandwich" technique: thin sections of P. polycephalum microplasmodia were incubated with the Ricinus communis lectin specific for D-galactose residues. The bound lectin was then localized with gold granules labeled with a galactose-terminated glycoprotein (desialylated ceruloplasmin). The galactan was found in the nuclei mainly associated with chromatin and, also, but to a smaller extent, in the cytoplasm and in some vacuoles. The specificity of the method was assessed by marking under the same condition the galactomannan present in the cell wall of the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D010804 Physarum A genus of protozoa, formerly also considered a fungus. Characteristics include the presence of violet to brown spores. Physarums
D002467 Cell Nucleus Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (CELL NUCLEOLUS). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed) Cell Nuclei,Nuclei, Cell,Nucleus, Cell
D002843 Chromatin The material of CHROMOSOMES. It is a complex of DNA; HISTONES; and nonhistone proteins (CHROMOSOMAL PROTEINS, NON-HISTONE) found within the nucleus of a cell. Chromatins
D003593 Cytoplasm The part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990) Protoplasm,Cytoplasms,Protoplasms
D005685 Galactans Polysaccharides composed of repeating galactose units. They can consist of branched or unbranched chains in any linkages. Galactan,Polygalactose,Polygalactoses
D006046 Gold A yellow metallic element with the atomic symbol Au, atomic number 79, and atomic weight 197. It is used in jewelry, goldplating of other metals, as currency, and in dental restoration. Many of its clinical applications, such as ANTIRHEUMATIC AGENTS, are in the form of its salts.
D006652 Histological Techniques Methods of preparing tissue for examination and study of the origin, structure, function, or pathology. Histologic Technic,Histologic Technics,Histologic Technique,Histologic Techniques,Histological Technics,Technic, Histologic,Technics, Histologic,Technique, Histologic,Techniques, Histologic,Histological Technic,Histological Technique,Technic, Histological,Technics, Histological,Technique, Histological,Techniques, Histological
D012568 Schizosaccharomyces A genus of ascomycetous fungi of the family Schizosaccharomycetaceae, order Schizosaccharomycetales. Fission Yeast,Schizosaccharomyces malidevorans,Schizosaccharomyces pombe,Yeast, Fission,S pombe,Fission Yeasts
D014617 Vacuoles Any spaces or cavities within a cell. They may function in digestion, storage, secretion, or excretion. Vacuole

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