IMMUNOLOCALIZATION AND INVITRO SECRETION OF HEMOLYMPH LECTIN OF THE PEARL OYSTER, PINCTADA-FUCATA-MARTENSII

Identification of the organ which secretes hemolymph lectin in the pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata martensii, was sought by means of immunocytochemistry and in vitro tissue culture. Apparent immunoreaction to anti-hemolymph lectin antiserum was detected from the mantle. The immunoreaction was localized in the granular cells under the mantle epithelium. When mantle explants were cultured, they secreted hemolymph lectin into the culture medium. These results suggest that the hemolymph lectin is localized at and secreted from the mantle.