The adhesion of water-soluble beta-D-glucans, including cellulose-adhesive schizophyllan, xyloglucan, and locust bean gum to intact cells and protoplasts of Nicotiana tabacum BY-2 was examined using their fluorescent derivatives. Fluorescence microscopy showed that schizophyllan, xyloglucan, locust bean gum, and xanthan gum bound to the intact cells, and that schizophyllan, xanthan gum, and succinoglycan bound to the protoplasts. These adhesive beta-D-glycans raised considerably the number of the cells regenerated from protoplasts. The results suggest that some water soluble beta-D-glycans showing affinity for intact cells and/or protoplasts will be suitable for use as stabilizers of protoplast division.