Characterization of Cell Wall α-1,3-Glucan-Deficient Mutants in Isolated by a Screening Method Based on Their Sensitivities to Congo Red or Lysing Enzymes.

We previously reported that sensitivity to Congo Red (CR) or Lysing Enzymes (LE) is affected by the loss of cell-wall α-1,3-glucan (AG) in . We found that the amount of CR adsorbed to AG was significantly less than the amount adsorbed to β-1,3-glucan (BG) or chitin, suggesting that loss of cell-wall AG would increase exposure of BG on the cell surface, and thereby increase the sensitivity to CR. Generally, fungal BGs are known as biological response modifiers because of their recognition by Dectin-1 receptors in human immune systems.