A stalk-specific wheat germ agglutinin binding protein, wst34, in Dictyostelium discoideum can be detected with antiserum raised against Dictyostelium mucoroides stalk

Abstract

A new stalk-specific wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) binding protein, wst34, has been identified in Dictyostelium discoideum and purified by the use of preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a WGA-affinity column. In normal development, wst34 appears during culmination and is maintained in stalk cells. It has a molecular mass of 34 kilodaltons and a pI value of 5.5–6.5. A polyclonal antiserum raised against stalk cell proteins of Dictyostelium mucoroides recognizes wst34 in western blots of D. discoideum proteins.Key words: Dictyostelium discoideum, Dictyostelium mucoroides, wheat germ agglutinin.