Abstract
Two cellular communication systems are involved in sexual recognition of complementary gametes of Ectocarpus siliculosus. The first is mediated via the pheromone ectocarpene and is not species-specific. A second system has been identified which is based on the interaction of carbohydrate and carbohydrate receptor. Cell fusion is inhibited selectively by wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) applied to female gametes or with the complementary N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) applied to male gametes. Both, WGA and GlcNAc showed gametic specificity in their effects. Fertilization was not affected by the lectins GNA, LCA and SBA. The maximum fertilization success was 50.2% and followed Michaelis-Mentenkinetics (I50 = 6 minutes).
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Schmid, C.E. Cell-cell-recognition during fertilization in Ectocarpus siliculosus (Phaeophyceae). Hydrobiologia 260, 437–443 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00049053
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00049053