Preparation of Biologically Active Fractions Enriched with Glucuronoxylomannan, the Main Antigen of the Cryptococcal Capsule

Abstract

Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) is the principal capsular component in the Cryptococcus genus. This complex polysaccharide participates in numerous events related to the physiology and pathogenesis of Cryptococcus, which highlights the importance of establishing methods for its isolation and analysis. Conventional methods for GXM isolation have been extensively discussed in the literature. In this chapter, we describe two fast methods for obtaining extracellular fractions enriched with cryptococcal GXM.

Keywords: Capsule; Cryptococcus; Glucuronoxylomannan.