title: The surface charge of trypanosomatids.
abstract: The surface charge of trypanosomatids was evaluated by means of the binding of cationic particles, as visualized by electron microscopy and by direct measurements of the electrophoretic mobility of cells. The results obtained indicate that most of the trypanosomatids exhibit a negatively charged surface whose value is species specific and varies according to the developmental stages. Sialic acids associated with glycoproteins, glycolipids and phosphate groups are the major components responsible for the net negative surface charge of the trypanosomatids.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia de Protozoários, Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-590, Brazil. souto.padron@micro.ufrj.br
authors.forename: Thaïs
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Souto-Padrón
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D007894:Leishmania mexicana / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013499:Surface Properties; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014351:Trypanosomatina / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure