title: Binding of C-reactive protein to Aspergillus fumigatus fractions.
abstract: Calcium-dependent binding of C-reactive protein (CRP) to Aspergillus fumigatus was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A homogenate of young hyphae was fractionated by hydrophobic interaction chromatography followed by gel filtration. High CRP-binding activity was found in a fraction of mol. wt c. 500,000 which was characterised by strong binding to the hydrophobic column. Three fractions of less conspicuous CRP-binding activity were identified (c. 500 000, 150 000 and 150 000-50 000 mol. wt respectively). In these four fractions, phosphorylcholine was detected by an anti-phosphorylcholine mouse hybridoma antibody. Some CRP-binding activity in fractions with low affinity for the hydrophobic column did not correspond closely with the presence of phosphorylcholine. It is suggested that C-reactive substance in A. fumigatus is heterogeneous. The C-reactive substances did not correspond with fractions containing major antigens (470 000 and 250 000 mol. wt respectively) which elicit a strong immune response in man.
mesh_terms: D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D010767:Phosphorylcholine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002118:Calcium