Carrageenans in the cell walls of Chondrus crispus Stack. (Rhodophyceae, Gigartinales). I. Localization with fluorescent antibody

Abstract

Carrageenans occurring in the immediate cell walls and matrix of Chondrus crispus were identified by the fluorescent antibody technique. Specific antibody to κ-carrageenan stained sections of vegetative parts of the female gametophyte but corresponding areas of the sporophyte were not stained above control levels. Conversely, specific antibody to γ-carrageenan stained sections of vegetative parts of the sporophyte, but not the female gametophyte. However, cell walls of carposporophyte tissue stained with anti-γ-carrageenan antibody and not with anti-κ-carrageenan antibody, while cross walls of tetraspores stained with anti-κ-carrageenan antibody, but not with anti-γ-carrageenan antibody. This indicates that the first cells of each generation produce the characteristic carrageenan for that generation.