The immobilization antigens of Tetrahymena thermophila are glycoproteins.

The four immobilization antigens controlled by the SerH locus in Tetrahymena thermophila have been isolated and partially characterized (Doerder, F.P. & Berkowitz, M.S. 1986. Purification and partial characterization of the H immobilization antigens of Tetrahymena thermophila. J. Protozool., 33:204-208). We show here, using immunoprecipitation and electrophoresis after labeling with 35S-methionine, 14C-mannose, 14C-glucosamine, and N-Acetyl-D-[l-3H]glucosamine, that these proteins are glycosylated. We suggest the immobilization antigens in Tetrahymena may be anchored to the surface membrane by phosphatidylinositol glycans.