The surface charge of trypanosomatids

• Published in: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências Vol. 74; no. 4; pp. 649 - 675
• Main Author: Souto-Padrón, Thaïs
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Academia Brasileira de Ciências 01-12-2002
• Subjects: Animals; cell surface charge; cytochemistry; electrophoretic mobility; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; Leishmania mexicana - chemistry; Leishmania mexicana - ultrastructure; MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES; Surface Properties; Trypanosoma cruzi - chemistry; Trypanosoma cruzi - ultrastructure; trypanosomatids; Trypanosomatina - chemistry; Trypanosomatina - physiology; Trypanosomatina - ultrastructure; trypanosomatids; tripanosomatídeos; morfologia eletroforética; carga da superfície celular; cytochemistry; cell surface charge; electrophoretic mobility; citoquímica
• ISSN: 0001-3765; 1678-2690; 0001-3765; 1678-2690
• DOI: 10.1590/S0001-37652002000400007

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.