Histochemistry

, Volume 48, Issue 2, pp 121–127 | Cite as

Fine cytochemical detection of acid mucopolysaccharides in growing hyphae of Neurospora crassa

  • S. Leiva
  • J. González
Article
Received:

Summary

The presence of mucopolysaccharides (MP) in Neurospora crassa hyphae was detected in samples of cultures from 4 h to 5 days.

Using a modification of the method of Rothman (1969), acid MP were identified by electron microscopy in vesicles located at the apex, septae, and throughout the cytoplasm of the hyphae. The size, number, and localization of these vesicles was related to the stage of growth of the fungus.

The mechanisms of release and transport of these macromolecules are compared to the process of secretion in cells endowed with a better developed endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi system.

The specificity of the method was evaluated histochemically. The structures displaying greater electron density corresponded to the Alcian blue positive areas.

Keywords

Public Health Electron Microscopy Endoplasmic Reticulum Macromolecule Alcian Blue 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Bartnicki-García, S.: Cell wall chemistry, morphogenesis and taxonomy of fungi. Ann. Rev. Microbiol. 22, 87–108 (1968)Google Scholar
  2. Beck, D.P., Greenawalt, J.W.: Factors affecting the formation of membranous structure in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of Neurospora crassa. (Abstract.) J. Cell Biol. 39, 11 (1968)Google Scholar
  3. Behnke, O., Zelander, T.: Preservation of intercellular substances by cationic Dye Alcian Blue in preparative procedure for electron microscopy. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 31, 424–438 (1970)Google Scholar
  4. Castejón, H.V., Castejón, O.J., Viloria, M.E., Valedo, C.: Ultracytochemical study of mouse cerebelar proteoglycans effect of methylation and enzymatic digestions. Actas del Congreso Latinoamericano de Microscopía Electónica. Riberao Preto (Brasil), pp. 32–33 (1974)Google Scholar
  5. Dargent, R.: Ultrastructure of growing hyphae achlya bisexualis coker. Studies on a polysaccharidic secretion and alkaline phosphatase activity in the Golgi apparatus and apical Cytoplasmic vesicles. C.R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 280, 1445–1450 (1975)Google Scholar
  6. Gil, F.: Mesosomes. Their role in the delimitation of ascospore. Mycopathologia (Den Haag) 49, 243–247 (1973)Google Scholar
  7. Grove, S.N., Bracker, Ch.E.: Protoplasmic organization of hyphal tips among fungi: vesicles and Spitzenkörper. J. Bact. 104, 989–1009. (1970)Google Scholar
  8. Hunsley, D., Burnett, J.H.: The ultrastructural architecture of the walls of some hyphal fungi. J. gen. Microbiol. 62, 203–218 (1970)Google Scholar
  9. Leiva, S., Carbonell, L.M.: Demonstration of succinic dehydrogenase in the mesosomes of the mycelial phase of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. J. gen. Microbiol. 62, 43–47 (1970)Google Scholar
  10. Leiva, S., Carrasco, A., Olea, N., Pincheira, G.: Biochemical and structural aspects of morphological differentiation of Neurospora crassa. Arch. Biol. Med. Exp. 9, R-22-23 (1972)Google Scholar
  11. Leiva, S., Olea, N., Pincheira, G.: Localization of sugar dehydrogenases in Neurospora crassa. (Abstract.) Genetics 74, Part 2, S-155 (1973)Google Scholar
  12. Leiva, S., Olea, N., Pincheira, G.: Localization of acid mucopolysaccharides in Neurospora crassa. Actas del Congreso Latinoamericano de Microscopía Electrónica. Riberao-Preto (Brasil) 60–61 (1974)Google Scholar
  13. Mahadevan, P.R., Tatum, E.L.: Localization of structural polymers in the wall of Neurospora crassa. J. Cell Biol. 35, 295–302 (1967)Google Scholar
  14. McClure, W.K., Park, D., Robinson, P.M.: Apical organization in the somatic hyphae of fungi. J. gen. Microbiol. 50, 177–182 (1968)Google Scholar
  15. Northcote, N.H.: The Golgi apparatus. Endeavur 30, 26–33 (1971)Google Scholar
  16. Olea, N., Farías, G., Leiva, S., Pincheira, G.: Mesosomes in Neurospora crassa: morphological and physiological characteristics. Arch. Biol. Med. Exp. 10, in press (1974–75)Google Scholar
  17. Reissing, J.L., Glasgow, J.E.: Mucopolysaccharide which regulates growth in Neurospora. J. Bact. 106, 882–889 (1971)Google Scholar
  18. Reynolds, S.K.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1965)Google Scholar
  19. Rothman, A.: Alcian Blue as an electron stain. Exp. Cell Res. 58, 177–179 (1969)Google Scholar
  20. Vogel, H.G.: A convenient growth medium for Neurospora (Medium N). Microbiol. Gen. Bull. 13, 42–43 (1956)Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1976

Authors and Affiliations

  • S. Leiva
    • 1
  • J. González
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Cell Biology and GeneticsUniversity of ChileSantiago 4Chile

Personalised recommendations