Cell wall glycoproteins participate in the adhesion of Sporothrix schenckii to epithelial cells

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Glycan Profiling of Plant Cell Wall Polymers using Microarrays
12:30

Glycan Profiling of Plant Cell Wall Polymers using Microarrays

Published on: December 17, 2012

Gerardo Sandoval-Bernal1, Gloria Barbosa-Sabanero, Mineko Shibayama

  • 1División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas Campus Guanajuato, Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta S/N, Col. Noria Alta, 36000, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, México.

Mycopathologia
|November 18, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Sporothrix schenckii adhesion to host cells involves surface glycoproteins. Mannose and glucose residues on these glycoproteins are key to fungal attachment, impacting sporotrichosis infection spread.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Sporothrix schenckii causes sporotrichosis, an emerging fungal infection.
  • Pathogen adhesion to host cells is critical for disease dissemination, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the biochemical mechanisms underlying Sporothrix schenckii yeast cell adhesion to epithelial cells.
  • To identify specific S. schenckii surface components involved in host cell interaction.

Main Methods:

  • Electrophoretic analysis of S. schenckii cell wall proteins coupled with Concanavalin A (ConA).
  • Ligand-binding assays using biotinylated S. schenckii surface proteins to assess epithelial cell affinity.
  • Inhibition assays using lectins (ConA, WGA), enzymatic treatments (trypsin, endoglycosidase H), and chemical treatments (alkali, periodate, detergents, salt solutions).

Main Results:

  • Nine S. schenckii cell wall proteins were identified via electrophoresis (MW ≥ 18-180 kDa).
  • Five surface proteins (MW ≥ 80-190 kDa) demonstrated affinity for epithelial cells.
  • Adhesion was significantly inhibited by lectins, enzymatic, and chemical treatments, with recovery upon lectin blocking by complementary sugars.

Conclusions:

  • Surface glycoproteins containing mannose and glucose residues are implicated in S. schenckii adhesion to epithelial cells.
  • These findings provide insights into the molecular basis of sporotrichosis pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.

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