title: Different isoforms of secreted aspartyl proteinases (Sap) are expressed by Candida albicans during oral and cutaneous candidosis in vivo.
abstract: Distinct isoforms of secreted aspartyl proteinases (Sap) of Candida albicans are important virulence factors for different types of candidosis. Predominant expression of Sap1-3 has been shown to be crucial for superficial infections in experimental mucosal and cutaneous candidosis, whereas Sap4-6 might be important for systemic disease. This in-vivo study investigated Sap expression in two samples from patients with oral candidosis and from cutaneous infection. Two different polyclonal antibodies directed against Sap1-3 and Sap4-6 were used for ultrastructural characterisation of protein localisation and expression. Post-embedding immuno-electron microscopy revealed Sap1-3 and Sap4-6 immunoreactivity in all samples. All C. albicans cells expressed predominantly the proteinases Sap1-3 which were evenly distributed within the cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane. In contrast, Sap4-6 labelling was only evident in a few fungal cells. In particular it was localised at the tips of hyphal cells during invasion. These data suggest a different pathogenetic role for Sap1-3 and Sap4-6 during host-fungal interaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Elfriede
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Januschke
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Carolin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schackert
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Woerle
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Korting
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000276:immunology; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002179:Candidiasis, Cutaneous / Q000201:enzymology*; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D008875:Middle Aged; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D007527:Isoenzymes; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases