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Presence of a mannoprotein, MnpAp, in the hyphal cell wall of Aspergillus nidulans

     Division of Biological Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Chonju, Chonbuk 561-756, Republic of Korea

Sung Soo Whang ¹

     Division of Science Education, Chonbuk National University, Chonju, Chonbuk 561-756, Republic of Korea

The presence of a mannoprotein, MnpAp, in the hyphal cell wall of Aspergillus nidulans was examined by immunogold electron microscopy using a mnpA-null mutant as a negative control. The hyphal cell wall of wild type consisted of two layers—an electron-dense smooth outer layer and an electron-translucent inner layer—while the hyphal cell wall of the mnpA-null mutant had an electron-dense irregular outer layer together with the electron-translucent inner layer. In wild type, MnpAp was present throughout the electron-translucent layer of the hyphal cell wall but was absent from the conidial cell wall. In the mnpA-null mutant, MnpAp was absent from the cell walls of both cell types. These results indicate that MnpAp is present in the hyphal cell wall and that it influences cell wall surface structure.

Key words: Aspergillus nidulans, cell wall, immunoelectron microscopy, mannoprotein, mnpA