Invasive forms of Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi have a positive charge at their contact site with host cells.
We examined the surface charges of invasive forms of Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania amazonensis, and Trypanosoma cruzi by atomic force microscopy and surface potential spectroscopy. We found that the specific part of the protozoan which makes initial contact with the host cell is positively charged. This indicates that the positive charge at the site of contact facilitates binding of the invasive protozoan to negatively charged host cells.
Akaki
M
M
Research Institute of Science and Technology, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan.
Nakano
Y
Y
Nagayasu
E
E
Nagakura
K
K
Kawai
S
S
Aikawa
M
M
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000469:parasitology; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000502:physiology; D007891:Leishmania / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000469:parasitology; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013499:Surface Properties; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure