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.