Synthesis of monorhamnosyl L-rhamno-D-mannans by conidia of Sporothrix schenckii.

A rhamnomannan containing single-unit alpha-L-rhamnopyranose side chains was identified in isolated conidia from Sporothrix schenckii. Such a rhamnomannan differed from the dirhamnosyl rhamnomannan synthesized by the hyphae but was very similar to the monorhamnosyl rhamnomannan formed in yeastlike cells. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chemical analysis were used to compare these polysaccharides. Based on the distribution of different rhamnomannans in different S. schenckii cell types and in view of the reactivity of some human antisera previously reported (6), the formation of hyphae in vivo is suggested.