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Invasive forms of Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi have a positive charge at their contact site with host cells

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Abstract

We examined the surface charges of invasive forms of Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania amazonensis, and Trypanosoma cruzi by atomic force microscopy and surface potential spectroscopy. We found that the specific part of the protozoan which makes initial contact with the host cell is positively charged. This indicates that the positive charge at the site of contact facilitates binding of the invasive protozoan to negatively charged host cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute of Science and Technology, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan e-mail: aikawa@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp Tel.: +81-463-931121; Fax: +81-463-937087, , , , , , JP

    Mayumi Akaki, Yamaji Nakano, Eiji Nagayasu & Masamichi Aikawa

  2. Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan, , , , , , JP

    Kouichi Nagakura

  3. Department of Medical Zoology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan, , , , , , JP

    Satoru Kawai

Authors
  1. Mayumi Akaki
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  2. Yamaji Nakano
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  3. Eiji Nagayasu
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  4. Kouichi Nagakura
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  5. Satoru Kawai
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  6. Masamichi Aikawa
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Additional information

Received: 17 June 2000 / Accepted: 22 July 2000

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Akaki, M., Nakano, Y., Nagayasu, E. et al. Invasive forms of Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi have a positive charge at their contact site with host cells. Parasitol Res 87, 193–197 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00008574

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00008574

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