Binding of the wheat germ lectin to Cryptococcus neoformans suggests an association of chitinlike structures with yeast budding and capsular glucuronoxylomannan.

ABSTRACT: The capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans is a complex structure whose assembly requires intermolecular interactions to connect its components into an organized structure. In this study, we demonstrated that the wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), which binds to sialic acids and beta-1,4-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) oligomers, can also bind to cryptococcal capsular structures. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that these structures form round or hooklike projections linking the capsule to the cell wall, as well as capsule-associated structures during yeast budding. Chemical analysis of capsular extracts by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and high-pH anion-exchange chromatography suggested that the molecules recognized by WGA were firmly associated with the cell wall. Enzymatic treatme

SUBMITTER: Rodrigues ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2292635 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature