ABSTRACT
Biochemical analyses have led to a documentation of cell-wall composition in brown algae but the understanding of how the cell-wall structures are regulated in relation to diverse cell biological events is still limited. Recently, new methodologies and tools have been developed to help gaining a biological understanding of cell walls in brown algae. Notably, specific monoclonal antibodies toward cell-wall polysaccharides were generated and used in cellular investigations. This chapter focuses on the chemical staining of cell walls and the use of monoclonal antibodies for the specific detection of polysaccharide epitopes in brown algae. Detailed protocols are given for each key stage from sample preparation and fixation toward immunolabeling procedures for both the fluorescence and electron microscopy. Possible enzymatic treatments before epitope detection are also discussed.
Keywords: Cell wall, polysaccharides, brown algae, monoclonal antibody, alginates, fucans, immunocytochemistry, microscopy
