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Mannose Surfaces Exhibit Self-Latching, Water Structuring, and Resilience to Chaotropes: Implications for Pathogen
Hashanthi K Abeyratne-Perera1, Preethi L Chandran1
1Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department and ‡Chemical Engineering Department, Howard University , Washington, D.C. 20059, United States.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|August 19, 2017
Summary
Pathogens use mannose sugars on their surface for self-adhesion and to resist immune detection. This study reveals mannose
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Viral and fungal pathogens like HIV and SARS-CoV-2 display mannose residues.
- The innate immune system uses mannose receptors to identify and phagocytose pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the functional advantage for pathogens to display mannose residues.
- Explore the surface properties and interactions of mannose disaccharides.
Main Methods:
- Atomic force spectroscopy was used to probe mannobiose (a mannose disaccharide) surface interactions.
- Investigated the effect of chaotropes and varying approach velocities on mannose surface properties.
Main Results:
- Mannobiose exhibited self-adhesion forces at single residue, cluster, monolayer, and supramonolayer levels.
- These forces were resilient to chaotropes and showed shear-thickening behavior in structured water layers.
- Structured water layers extended beyond the mannobiose residue, influenced by approach velocity.
Conclusions:
- Mannose residues may facilitate interpathogen interactions, such as in biofilms.
- Pathogen surface mannose could act as a protective layer against immune detection and environmental stress.
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