Lectin from Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides conjugated to colloidal gold: a new histochemical reagent

A new histochemical reagent has been developed utilising a lectin from a marine alga for the first time. Colloidal gold was coupled to the N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine specific lectin from the green alga Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides. The lectin--gold conjugate bound to the membranes of blood-group A1 human erythrocytes which were used as a model system. The bound complex could be detected, readily, by transmission electron microscopy. This novel reagent incorporating a lectin of low molecular weight (15 kDa) has potential value for studies of cell-surface topography of a variety of tissues.