Demystifying a hexuronic acid ligand that recognizes Toxoplasma gondii and blocks its invasion into host cells.

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous eukaryotic pathogen responsible for toxoplasmosis in humans and animals. This parasite is an obligate intracellular pathogen and actively invades susceptible host cells, a process which is mediated by specific receptor-ligand interactions. Here, we have identified an unnatural 2,4-disulfated d-glucuronic acid (Di-S-GlcA), a hexuronic acid composed of heparin/heparan sulfate, as a potential carbohydrate ligand that can selectively bind to T. gondii parasites. More importantly, the gelatin conjugated Di-S-GlcA multivalent probe displayed strong inhibition of parasite entry into host cells. These results open perspective for the future use of Di-S-GlcA epitopes in biomedical applications against toxoplasmosis.

• Authors: Balamurugan Subramani, Chethan D Shantamurthy, Parag Maru, Meenakshi A Belekar, Sandhya Mardhekar, Dhanasekaran Shanmugam, Raghavendra Kikkeri
• Journal: Organic & biomolecular chemistry (Org Biomol Chem) Vol. 17 Issue 18 Pg. 4535-4542 (05 08 2019) ISSN: 1477-0539 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 30994681 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Glucuronates
• Ligands

Topics

• Cell Adhesion (drug effects)
• Fibroblasts (microbiology)
• Glucuronates (chemical synthesis, metabolism, pharmacology)
• Humans
• Ligands
• Toxoplasma (drug effects, metabolism, pathogenicity)