Polymorphism of the 35- and 50-kilodalton surface glycoconjugates of Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclic trypomastigotes.
In this study, we examined the immunochemical properties of the 35- and 50-kDa (35/50-kDa) surface glycoconjugates expressed on the surface of metacyclic trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi using three different monoclonal antibodies directed to this component. The 35/50-kDa surface antigen was expressed by metacyclic trypomastigotes of 11 different strains of T. cruzi and displayed a significant degree of molecular polymorphism. Results of immunoblotting and complement-mediated lysis were consistent with such diversity. Different monoclonal antibodies reacted with distinct epitopes on the 35/50-kDa antigen, which is resistant to proteases and behaves as an amphiphilic component.
Mortara
R A
RA
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil.
da Silva
S
S
Araguth
M F
MF
Blanco
S A
SA
Yoshida
N
N
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry*; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000494:pharmacology; D006001:Glycoconjugates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010504:Periodic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D006001:Glycoconjugates; D010504:Periodic Acid; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D010450:Endopeptidases