Caenorhabditis elegans: Stage Specific Differences in Cuticle Surface Carbohydrates

Stage-specific differences in wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) binding saccharides were demonstrated between the surfaces of the eggs, L1 larvae, young aduhs, and old adults of Caenorhabditis elegans. The WGA binding was to n-acetylglucosamine groups but not to terminally linked n-acetylneuraminic acids. An age-related decrease in WGA binding occurred in adults, supporting previous findings of a decrease in net negative cuticle surface charge during aging.