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Glycohistochemistry of a marine sponge, Chondrilla nucula (Porifera, Desmospongiae), with remarks on a possibly related antimicrobial defense strategy and a note on exopinacoderm function

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Abstract

Based on carbohydrate histochemistry, including the use of lectins, and TEM, the study describes the distribution of terminal sugars in different structures of the demosponge Chondrilla nucula. The results of the general and specific carbohydrate histochemical approaches confirmed the presence of acidic and neutral glycoconjugates in the cells, and, with declining amounts from the ectosome to the mesohyl, in the extracellular matrix (ECM). AB-PAS staining indicated acidic complex carbohydrates particularly in the exopinacoderm, and more neutral ones in the cells and the ECM of the mesohyl. The PO-lectins applied demonstrated a general spectrum of free saccharide residues (α-d-mannose, α-/β-d-N-acetylglucosamine, α-d-N-acetylgalactosamine, α-d-galactose, β-d-galactose) in both sponge parts; α-l-fucose was only distinct in the ectosome. Sialic acids [siaα(2,3)-galactose, siaα(2,6)-N-acetylgalactosamine] were dominant in the very thin exopinacoderm, indicating O-linked high molecular weight glycoproteins. In this way a glycophysiologically ‘rigid’ outer mucus cover is developed as protection against mechanical hazards. Some of the free sugars (α-d-mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine β-d-galactose, α-l-fucose) are known to prevent the adherence of different bacteria and fungi to cellular surfaces. Thus a high concentration of such sugars, may impede massive attacks of micro-inhabitants on mobile sponge cells, pinacocytes, and the exopinacoderm layer.

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Acknowledgements

The skillfull technical assistance of M. Gähle and K. Rohn, and the help of Dr. A. Schnapper is gratefully acknowledged. Part of this work (MS, FB) was supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the University of Stuttgart and the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts of the State of Baden-Württemberg through the excellence center BIOTECmarin (03F0345D).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hannover, Germany

    W. Meyer

  2. Porifarma BV, Poelbos 3, 6718 HT, Ede, The Netherlands

    M. Sidri

  3. Department of Zoology, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70550, Stuttgart, Germany

    F. Brümmer

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Correspondence to W. Meyer.

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Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe

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Meyer, W., Sidri, M. & Brümmer, F. Glycohistochemistry of a marine sponge, Chondrilla nucula (Porifera, Desmospongiae), with remarks on a possibly related antimicrobial defense strategy and a note on exopinacoderm function. Mar Biol 150, 313–319 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0353-x

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