Probing the Interactions Between α-1, 4-Mannobiose Molecules, Using AFM

We covalently attached mannobiose to thiolated linkers and functionalized on Au coated mica and Au coated AFM probes as self-assembling monolayers. The interactions between mannobiose-mannobiose were systematically probed under various conditions (presence of H2O, NaCl, free mannobiose). The specificity of mannobiose- mannobiose interactions was verified by measuring the interactions between the linkers alone. The interactions between mannobiose and concanavalin-A (lectin) protein were measured to verify the exposure of mannobiose on the AFM surface.

Preliminary experiments detected strong mannobiose-mannobiose interactions in the range of 200-800 pN. The majority of measured forces were multiples of ~200pN, indicating that the detected forces are due to non-random, specific interactions. Further characterization of the mannobiose-mannobiose interactions is underway. In future research, we aim to study the role of mannobiose interactions in the self-assembly of mannobiosylated nanomaterial.

Reference: Wang, X., Ramström, O., & Yan, M. (2009). A photochemically initiated chemistry for coupling underivatized carbohydrates to gold nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 19(47), 8944.Carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions (CCIs) are a relatively newly recognized form of biological interactions. CCIs also play a role in wide range of biological processes such as fertilization, embryogenesis and cell development. In this study, we measured the interactions between α-1, 4-mannobiose moieties (disaccharide of mannose sugars) using the force spectroscopy (FS) mode of an atomic force microscope (AFM). Mannobiose are widely being used in the design of therapeutic agents. Presence of mannobiose may help the drug agents to target the cells that express mannose receptors (dendritic cells) as well as reduce the drug induced cellular toxicity. In nature, mannobiose are found on the surfaces of various microorganisms and may play a role in host-pathogen interactions and biofilm formation. This research may impact the fields of drug design and biofilm engineering.

We covalently attached mannobiose to thiolated linkers and functionalized on Au coated mica and Au coated AFM probes as self-assembling monolayers. The interactions between mannobiose-mannobiose were systematically probed under various conditions (presence of H2O, NaCl, free mannobiose). The specificity of mannobiose- mannobiose interactions was verified by measuring the interactions between the linkers alone. The interactions between mannobiose and concanavalin-A (lectin) protein were measured to verify the exposure of mannobiose on the AFM surface.

Preliminary experiments detected strong mannobiose-mannobiose interactions in the range of 200-800 pN. The majority of measured forces were multiples of ~200pN, indicating that the detected forces are due to non-random, specific interactions. Further characterization of the mannobiose-mannobiose interactions is underway. In future research, we aim to study the role of mannobiose interactions in the self-assembly of mannobiosylated nanomaterial.

Reference: Wang, X., Ramström, O., & Yan, M. (2009). A photochemically initiated chemistry for coupling underivatized carbohydrates to gold nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 19(47), 8944.Carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions (CCIs) are a relatively newly recognized form of biological interactions. CCIs also play a role in wide range of biological processes such as fertilization, embryogenesis and cell development. In this study, we measured the interactions between α-1, 4-mannobiose moieties (disaccharide of mannose sugars) using the force spectroscopy (FS) mode of an atomic force microscope (AFM). Mannobiose are widely being used in the design of therapeutic agents. Presence of mannobiose may help the drug agents to target the cells that express mannose receptors (dendritic cells) as well as reduce the drug induced cellular toxicity. In nature, mannobiose are found on the surfaces of various microorganisms and may play a role in host-pathogen interactions and biofilm formation. This research may impact the fields of drug design and biofilm engineering.

We covalently attached mannobiose to thiolated linkers and functionalized on Au coated mica and Au coated AFM probes as self-assembling monolayers. The interactions between mannobiose-mannobiose were systematically probed under various conditions (presence of H2O, NaCl, free mannobiose). The specificity of mannobiose- mannobiose interactions was verified by measuring the interactions between the linkers alone. The interactions between mannobiose and concanavalin-A (lectin) protein were measured to verify the exposure of mannobiose on the AFM surface.

Preliminary experiments detected strong mannobiose-mannobiose interactions in the range of 200-800 pN. The majority of measured forces were multiples of ~200pN, indicating that the detected forces are due to non-random, specific interactions. Further characterization of the mannobiose-mannobiose interactions is underway. In future research, we aim to study the role of mannobiose interactions in the self-assembly of mannobiosylated nanomaterial.

Reference: Wang, X., Ramström, O., & Yan, M. (2009). A photochemically initiated chemistry for coupling underivatized carbohydrates to gold nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 19(47), 8944.