title: Concanavalin A-induced agglutination of Naegleria.
abstract: Concanavalin A (Con A) agglutinated all Naegleria gruberi strains tested but did not agglutinate any N. fowleri strains tested. Agglutination was time and temperature dependent and Con A concentration and ameba concentration dependent over certain ranges. Agglutination increased to maximum up to 1 h incubation with Con A. At least 1 X 10(6) amebae/ml were needed for maximum agglutination, and Con A concentrations higher than 100 microgram/ml did not appreciably increase agglutination. Incubation of 4 degrees C or with 10 mM alpha-methyl-D-mannoside inhibited agglutination of N. gruberi. These data indicate a difference in polysaccharide structure of cell membranes of N. fowleri and N. gruberi.
mesh_terms: D000371:Agglutination; D000656:Amoeba / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008766:Methylmannosides / Q000494:pharmacology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008766:Methylmannosides; D003208:Concanavalin A