Cell surface saccharide differences in drug-susceptible and drug-resistant strains of Trichomonas vaginalis.
Surface carbohydrates of drug-resistant and drug-susceptible strains of Trichomonas vaginalis were analysed using lectins. The presence of D-GalNAc, D-Gal and mannose-like residues was detected in T. vaginalis. Marked differences in exposed surface carbohydrates were documented, e.g. wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) selectively agglutinated the drug-susceptible strain whereas drug-resistant parasites reacted preferentially with concanavalin A (Con A). In drug-resistant, but not in drug-susceptible strains, trypsinization induced the appearance of soybean agglutinin. Binding studies using fluorescein-labelled WGA and Con A essentially confirmed the agglutination experiments. Both the intense cell agglutination and the fluorescent WGA-binding displayed by a drug-susceptible strain, were completely nullified by neuraminidase treatment, suggesting the presence of an exposed sialic acid moiety on the T. vaginalis surface.
Dias Filho
B P
BP
Instituto de Microbiologia, Carlos Chagas Filho Universidade, Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Andrade
A F
AF
de Souza
W
W
Esteves
M J
MJ
Angluster
J
J
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000818:Animals; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D004351:Drug Resistance; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects
D002241:Carbohydrates; D037102:Lectins; D008795:Metronidazole