Evidence for oligomannosyl residues containing both β-1,2 and α-1,2 linkages as a serotype A-specific epitope(s) in mannans of Candida albicans

Abstract

In order to identify the branches containing both β-1,2 and α-1,2 linkages as the serotype A-specific epitope(s) in the mannans of Candida albicans, serotype A strains with oligosaccharides constituting the β-1,2 linkage, the α-1,2 linkage, and both the β-1,2 and the α-1,2 linkages were prepared from the mannans of C. albicans serotype A strains (NIH A-207 and J- 1012) and tested for their inhibitory effects in the precipitin and slide agglutination assays. The results indicated that two oligosaccharides containing both β-1,2 and α-1,2 linkages, Manpβ1-2Manpα1-2Manpα1- 2Manpα1-2Man and Manpβ1-2Manpβ1-2Manpα1-2Manpα1-2Manpα1-2Man, served as epitopes participating in the serotype A specificity of C. albicans strains.