Adhesion Forces between Lewis(X) Determinant Antigens as Measured by Atomic Force Microscopy.
The adhesion forces between individual molecules of Lewis(X) trisaccharide antigen (Le(X) ) have been measured in water and in calcium solution by using atomic force microscopy (AFM, see graph). These results demonstrate the self-recognition capability of this antigen, and reinforce the hypothesis that carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction could be considered as the first step in the cell-adhesion process in nature.
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Grupo de Carbohidratos, Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas, CSIC, Isla de La Cartuja Américo Vespucio s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain, Fax: (+34) 95-448-95-63.
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García
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antigens; atomic force microscopy; carbohydrates; gold; noncovalent interactions