Application of an easy and reliable method for sulfolipid-I detection in the study of its distribution in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains.

Abstract

Sulfolipid-I (SL-I) is a specific Mycobacterium tuberculosis glycolipid that has been involved in the mechanisms of tuberculoid infection. Until now, a limited number of M. tuberculosis strains have been studied to ascertain their SL-I content, mainly due to the laborious techniques of purification used: DEAE-cellulose column chromatography (DEAE) or extensive solvent extractions. We designed a two-dimensional thin layer chromatographic (2D-TLC) system which allows the easy and reliable detection of SL-I in small amounts of M. tuberculosis-free glycolipid extracts without previous purification. A characteristic SL-I signal was clearly identified by a differential cresyl violet metachromatic stain. Seven clinical isolates, M. tuberculosis H(37)Ra, H(37)Rv and Canetti strains were tested by DEAE and the 2D-TLC system. Identical results were found using both methodologies. The 2D-TLC methodology devised could be applied to a large number of strains to ascertain easily the distribution of SL-I in the strains of M. tuberculosis species.

• Authors: C Y Soto, M Cama, I Gibert, M Luquin
• Journal: FEMS microbiology letters (FEMS Microbiol Lett) Vol. 187 Issue 1 Pg. 103-7 (Jun 01 2000) ISSN: 0378-1097 [Print] England
• PMID: 10828408 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Lipids
• sulfolipids

Topics

• Chromatography, DEAE-Cellulose (methods)
• Chromatography, Thin Layer (methods)
• Lipids (analysis)
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis (chemistry)