We examined the carbohydrate-binding potential of the C-type lectin-like receptor Dectin-2 (Clecf4n). The carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) of Dectin-2 exhibited cation-dependent mannose/fucose-like lectin activity, with an IC(50) for mannose of approximately 20 mM compared to an IC(50) of 1.5 mM for the macrophage mannose receptor when assayed by similar methodology. The extracellular doma...

A targeted micellar drug delivery system is developed from a biocompatible and biodegradable amphiphilic polyester, poly(Lac-OCA)-b-(poly(Tyr(alkynyl)-OCA)-g-mannose) (PLA-b-(PTA-g-mannose), that is synthesized via controlled ring-opening polymerization of O-carboxyanhydride (OCA) and highly efficient "Click" chemistry. Doxorubicin (DOX), a model lipophilic anticancer drug, can be effectively e...

Glycosyl transferases that participate in the assembly of the lipid-linked oligosaccharide intermediates were solubilized from cultured soybean cells using 0.3% Nonidet P-40 (NP-40) in the presence of 10% glycerol. The solubilized enzyme preparation was reasonably stable and 50% of the activity still remained after storage at -10 degrees C for 1 month. The solubilized enzyme synthesized [(14)C]...

Trypanosoma cruzi is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite. The mammalian stage of the parasite life cycle describes amastigotes as an intracellular form that replicates, and trypomastigotes as an extracellular form that disseminates and invades cells. Recent studies, however, have demonstrated that amastigotes circulate in the blood of infected mammals and can invade mammalian cells. In...

Flow cytometry was used to quantify the abundance of mannose-linked glycoconjugates on microalgae precultured using low- or high-nitrate media. Nitrogen-deficient microalgae were richer in cell-surface mannose than nitrogen-sufficient. Findings are discussed in view of recent research which reveals mannose-specific 'feeding receptors' assist prey biorecognition by phagotrophic protozoa that ing...

The structure of the carbohydrate of the 40-kD major outer membrane component of Chlamydia trachomatis and its role in defining infectivity of the organism were investigated. The oligosaccharides were released from the glycoprotein by N-glycanase digestion, coupled to a 2-aminopyridyl residue, and subjected to two-dimensional sugar mapping technique. The major fractions consisted of "high-manno...

A particle-bound enzyme from the fungus imperfectus Cryfitococcus taurentii var. flavescens (NRRL Y-1401) mediates transfer of mannosyl units from GDP-mannose to endogenous primer. The enzyme requires divalent cations for activity. The pH optimum is ‘7.5 and the apparent K, for GDP-mannose is 0.14 mbr. A polysaccharide fraction that is associated with the enzyme was found to be similar to a pol...

A particle-bound enzyme from the fungus imperfectus Cryfitococcus taurentii var. flavescens (NRRL Y-1401) mediates transfer of mannosyl units from GDP-mannose to endogenous primer. The enzyme requires divalent cations for activity. The pH optimum is ‘7.5 and the apparent K, for GDP-mannose is 0.14 mbr. A polysaccharide fraction that is associated with the enzyme was found to be similar to a pol...

Hybridoma antibodies directed against quaternary structural epitopes of the type 1 fimbrial adhesin of Escherichia coli or against D-mannose, the sugar determinant in the complementary host cell receptor, prevented the attachment of mannose-sensitive E. coli to various eucaryotic cells. Passive intraperitoneal administration of the fimbria-specific or D-mannose-specific antibodies protected mic...