A sulfated chitin inhibits hemagglutination by Theileria sergenti merozoites

Five structurally different polysaccharides were examined for their hemaggl utination inhibition activity. A (1 --> 4)-linked homopolysaccharide compos ed of N-acetyl, 6-O-carboxymethyl glucosamine (CM-chitin) showed no inhibit ory activity but a 3,6-O-sulfated derivative of CM chitin (SCM-chitin III) showed potent hemagglutination inhibition activity. A N-sulfated derivative of N-deacetylated CM chitin (SCM-chitosan) however, was not effective. Cho ndroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate, both of which consisted of disacchar ide repeats of (1 --> 3)-linked uronic acid and galactosamine sugar residue s (--> 4GlcAb1/IdoAal --> 3GalNAcb1), did not interfere with the red blood cell (RBC) binding by T. sergenti merozoite. Thus, the sulfated glycoconjug ate interaction is presumed to be an important process in the RBC invasion by the Theilerial merozoite. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.