Evaluating Glucose and Mannose Profiles in Candida Species Using Quantum Dots Conjugated with Cramoll Lectin as Fluorescent Nanoprobes

Publication date: Available online 8 September 2019Source: Microbiological ResearchAuthor(s): Weslley F. Oliveira, Mariana P. Cabrera, Natália R.M. Santos, Thiago H. Napoleão, Patrícia M.G. Paiva, Rejane P. Neves, Márcia V. Silva, Beate S. Santos, Luana C.B.B. Coelho, Paulo E. Cabral Filho, Adriana Fontes, Maria T.S. CorreiaAbstractGlycoconjugates found on cell walls of Candida species are fundamental for their pathogenicity. Laborious techniques have been employed to investigate the sugar composition of these microorganisms. Herein, we prepared a nanotool, based on the fluorescence of quantum dots (QDs) combined with the specificity of Cramoll lectin, to evaluate glucose/mannose profiles on three Candida species. The QDs-Cramoll conjugates presented specificity and bright fluorescence emission. The lectin preserved its biological activity after the conjugation process mediated by adsorption interactions. The labeling of Candida species was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and quantified by flow cytometry. Morphological analyses of yeasts labeled with QDs-Cramoll conjugates indicated that C. glabrata (2.7 µm) was smaller when compared to C. albicans (4.0 µm) and C. parapsilosis sensu stricto (3.8 µm). Also, C. parapsilosis population was heterogeneous, presenting rod-shaped blastoconidia. More than 90% of cells of the three species were labeled by conjugates. Inhibition and saturation assays indicated that C. parapsilosis had a higher content of exposed glucos...
Source: Microbiological Research - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research