SIALOGLYCOCONJUGATES IN TRYPANOSOMA-CRUZI HOST-CELL INTERACTION - POSSIBLE BIOLOGICAL MODEL - A REVIEW

A number of glycoconjugates, including glycolipids and glycoproteins, participate in the process of host-cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi and one of the most important carbohydrates involved on this interacti on is sialic acid. It is known that parasite trans-sialidase participa tes with sialic acid in a coordinated fashion in the initial stages of invasion. Given the importance of these sialoglycoconjugates, this re view sets out various possible biological models for the interaction b etween the parasite and mammalian cells that possess a sialylated rece ptor/ligand system.