On the role of D-glucuronic acid in the aggregation of cells from the marine sponge geodia cydonium*

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Abstract

The aggregation receptor (AR) from the marine sponge GEODIA CYDONIUM was analyzed with respect to its monosaccharide composition. Three major sugars (D-galactose, D-glucose and D-glucuronic acid) accounted for about 85 % of the total carbohydrate. Negative results with different lectins directed against D-galactosyl, N-acetyl-D-galactosaminyl and N-acetyl-D-glucosaminyl groups, respectively, showed that these sugars are serologically unreactive in AR. Positive serological reactions were obtained with CONCANAVALIN A and LIMULUS POLYPHEMUS agglutinin. AR also reacted strongly with the basic polymer poly-L-lysine. Reaggregation experiments performed on the basis of these findings strongly suggest that AR-bound D-glucuronic acid is recognized by an intercellular aggregation factor (AF) during the secondary aggregation of GEODIA cells.

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    *

    This manuscript is No. XVI in a series of publications of W.E.G. Müller and coworkers dealing with aggregation of sponge cells.

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