Differential lectin recognition of glycoproteins in choanomastigote-shaped trypanosomatids: taxonomic implications.
The glycoprotein profiles of seven choanomastigote-shaped trypanosomatids (six Crithidia spp. and one Herpetomonas sp.), which have been suggested to form three distinct taxonomic groups (Crithidia, Angomonas and Strigomonas), were analyzed by Western blotting using the lectins Limax flavus (LFA), Sambucus nigra (SNA) and Maackia amurensis (MAA), which specifically recognize sialic acid residues, and concanavalin A (Con A) that recognizes mannose-like residues in glycoconjugates. All lectins showed a sugar-inhibited recognition with the parasite extracts, with the exception of LFA, which did not show any reactivity with the studied species. The SNA agglutinin presented a characteristic and specific pattern for each taxonomic group. The MAA lectin showed an identical profile for all species analyzed, while Con A grouped the choanomastigote-shaped species in two different patterns, one specific for the Angomonas group, and the other comprehending both Strigomonas and Crithidia groups. These results illustrate the heterogeneity of the genus Crithidia. The possible taxonomic redistribution of the choanomastigote-shaped trypanosomatids is also discussed.
Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes (IMPPG), Bloco I, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-590, Brazil.
Claudia Masini
CM
d'Avila-Levy
Fernanda Miranda
FM
Araújo
Alane Beatriz
AB
Vermelho
Marta Helena
MH
Branquinha
Celuta Sales
CS
Alviano
Rosangela Maria de Araújo
RM
Soares
André Luis Souza
AL
dos Santos
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002965:Classification; D003421:Crithidia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification*; D005407:Flagella / Q000737:chemistry; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D037102:Lectins; D014351:Trypanosomatina / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification*
D006023:Glycoproteins; D037102:Lectins