Identification and localisation of glycosyl moieties of surface glycoproteins of teliospore wall of Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica) of wheat

This article aims to characterise and localise the glycosyl moieties of teliospore wall of Tilletia indica a quarantined fungal pathogens by biochemical and immunological approaches. Chemical enzyme modifier studies, followed by determination of structural configuration using phase contrast and SEM after periodate treatment, showed antigenic entities are glycoprotein in nature. Further characterisation using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophroesis (SDS-PAGE) glycoprotein staining and western blotting using anti-teliospore antibodies showed two common proteins of molecular weight 28 and 40 kDa, which is also suggestive of glycoprotein nature of antigenic entities of teliospore wall. To study the binding patterns and localisation of glycosyl moieties on the teliospore walls, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labelled lectins [Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) and Concanavilin A (Con A)] and anti-teliospore antibodies were used. The patterns of WGA and anti-teliospore antibodies binding with teliospore wall are almost similar and hence it is quite reasonable to suggest that immunodominant glycosyl entities of teliospore wall are acetylglucosamine in nature.