Lectins in the unicellular Tetrahymena. I. Lectin detection with FITC-labeled anti-lectins.

FITC-labeled antibodies prepared in rabbits to bean, pea, lens, datura, and snail lectin indicated by immunological reaction presence in the Tetrahymena of corresponding lectin-like components. The latter localized partly on the surface, partly inside the body of the unicellular. The specificity of the anti-lectins was ascertained by immunological and hemagglutination tests, and by examining antibody binding after pretreatment of the Tetrahymena with lectin or sugar.