title: Capsular polysaccharides of Cryptococcus neoformans.
abstract: Polysaccharides of Cryptococcus neoformans are considered to have a role in the virulence of this encapsulated fungus. The structure has been determined for the most abundant polysaccharide, a glucuronoxylomannan of varying xylose and ester content. The structural complexity of the capsular material increases from serotype D to A to B to C, but even for the simplest capsule (type D), the immunodeterminants seem to occur only on the side chains. The interactions of some of these groups with antibodies is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000276:immunology; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000276:immunology; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D003454:Cryptococcus / Q000032:analysis*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D008351:Mannans / Q000032:analysis; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D012703:Serotyping
chemical_list: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D000939:Epitopes; D008351:Mannans; D011134:Polysaccharides; C027478:glucuronoxylomannan