VIEW ARTICLE

Cytology and Histology

Localization of Protein in the Hyphal Sheath of Bipolaris maydis Race T. Robert C. Evans, Biology Department, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08102; Henry Stempen, Biology Department, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08102. Phytopathology 76:792-794. Accepted for publication 4 March 1986. Copyright 1986 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-76-792.

Experiments using rabbit anti-Bipolaris antiserum followed by ferritin conjugated anti-rabbit IgG antiserum showed that the antigenic component of the hyphal sheath of Bipolaris maydis race T is localized in discrete patches within the fibrillar matrix of the sheath and more evenly distributed on the outer surface of the hyphal wall proper. Pretreatment with papain significantly reduced the localization of the ferritin label, indicating that the principal antigenic component is proteinaceous. A reaction product that accumulated when germinated conidia were incubated with diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride and H₂O₂ was localized in the fibrillar portion of the sheath. The amount of product present was not diminished by prior treatment with papain, heat, or antibody. Thus, the portion of the sheath where this reaction occurs is apparently not associated with the proteinaceous patches.