Abstract
We observed a wide distribution of the carbohydrate epitopes galactosyl alpha(1-3)galactose (gal alpha1-3 gal), alpha-glucoside and alpha-mannoside in mono- and heteroxenic trypanosomatids by using fluorescein-labelled lectins of Euonymus europaeus (EE) and Concanavalin A (Con A) as well as sera from acute chagasic patients who have very high levels of anti-gal alpha(1-3)gal antibodies. The direct fluorescence test for gal alpha1-3 gal with EE was positive at minimum concentrations of 6 micrograms/ml for heteroxenic trypanosomatids and 0.7 micrograms/ml for monoxenic ones and for the plant parasite, Phytomonas. On the other hand, heteroxenic trypanosomatids that infect vertebrates bound ten-fold more Con A than monoxenic flagellates and Phytomonas. These data were confirmed in ELISA and Western Blot assays carried out with peroxidase-labelled EE and Con A. Euonymus europaeus recognized several glycoproteins in all trypanosomatids that we tested. Con A, however, recognized a glycoprotein cluster in heteroxenic protozoa, which ranging from 60-120 kDa, seemed to lack monoxenic parasites and Phytomonas. These findings suggest that alpha-D-mannose and alpha-D-glucose might play an important role in the interaction between trypanosomatids and vertebrate hosts.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
