Ultrastructural localization of L-fucose residues in nuclei of root primordia of the green pea Pisum sativum

Abstract

Sugars have been demonstrated in animal cell nuclei, but only a few studies have mentioned their presence in plant cell nuclei. In this study L-fucose residues were localized at the ultrastructural level, using Ulex europeaus agglutinin I lectin, during the early stages of germination of Pisum sativum and in mature root tip cells. This sugar was present after 1 h of germination, and its concentration was found to vary during 3 to 6 h inhibition; after 72h of inhibition its concentration had more than doubled. Furthermore, labelling was particularly abundant in the nucleolus, nucleolus-associated bodies and dense nuclear bodies. The possibility that some of the L-fucose residues are associated with proteins is discussed.