Immunocytochemical labeling of chitin in the cell walls of zoopathogenic fungi
Walker, A.N.; Garner, R.E.; Horst, M.N.
Biotechniques 11(3): 318; 320, 322
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0736-6205 PMID: 1931029 Document Number: 379293
Chitin is a complex polysaccharide composed of repeating units of beta-1,4-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. It is found in many invertebrates, in some algae, in the cyst form of several protozoans and in the cell walls of most fungi. Chitin, however, is not expressed in vertebrate tissues. We used a polyclonal rabbit antiserum against macromolecular chitin to label and stain by immunoperoxidase technique in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues a variety of zoopathogenic fungi. The antiserum bound to the cell walls of the microorganisms, but not to (mammalian) host tissue elements.