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Exposed and hidden lectin-binding epitopes at the surface ofBorrelia burgdorferi

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Abstract

The presence of surface- and subsurface-located lectin-binding epitopes ofBorrelia burgdorferi was examined by electron microscopy using a variety of gold-labeled lectins. Concanavalin A reacted predominantly with extracellular material adjacent to the spirochetes. Wheat germ agglutinin bound weakly to the surface of borreliae; however, alterations of the outer membrane by preincubation in 100 ppm Triton X-100 or boiling uncovered numerous periplasmic sites recognized by the lectin. The periplasmic flagella liberated by some cells after detergent treatment were labeled with concanavalin A, wheat germ agglutinin andUlex europaeus agglutinin UEA-I. No surface-exposed or periplasmic epitopes for the lectins fromGlycine max, Dolichos biflorus orHelix pomatia were detected.

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Abbreviations

ConA:

concanavalin A

PF:

periplasmic flagella

OM:

outer membrane

DBA:

Dolichos biflorus agglutinin

HPA:

Helix pomatia agglutinin

SBA:

soybean agglutinin

UEA:

Ulex europaeus lectin

WGA:

wheat-germ agglutinin

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria

    S. R. Stoitsova

  2. Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Ceské Budějovice, Czechia

    L. Grubhoffer & J. Nebesářová

  3. Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia

    L. Grubhoffer & J. Nebesářová

Authors
  1. S. R. Stoitsova
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  2. L. Grubhoffer
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  3. J. Nebesářová
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Additional information

This investigation was supported by theNational Research Council at the Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Bulgaria (project K-709/97), theGrant Agency of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (A6022001/00) and theMinistry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (MSM 123100003).

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Stoitsova, S.R., Grubhoffer, L. & Nebesářová, J. Exposed and hidden lectin-binding epitopes at the surface ofBorrelia burgdorferi . Folia Microbiol 48, 654–658 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02993474

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02993474

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