title: Monofunctional catalase P of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: identification, characterization, molecular cloning and expression analysis.
abstract: Within the context of studies on genes from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) potentially associated with fungus-host interaction, we isolated a 61 kDa protein, pI 6.2, that was reactive with sera of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis. This protein was identified as a peroxisomal catalase. A complete cDNA encoding this catalase was isolated from a Pb cDNA library and was designated PbcatP. The cDNA contained a 1509 bp ORF containing 502 amino acids, whose molecular mass was 57 kDa, with a pI of 6.5. The translated protein PbCATP revealed canonical motifs of monofunctional typical small subunit catalases and the peroxisome-PTS-1-targeting signal. The deduced and the native PbCATP demonstrated amino acid sequence homology to known monofunctional catalases and was most closely related to catalases from other fungi. The protein and mRNA were diminished in the mycelial saprobic phase compared to the yeast phase of infection. Protein synthesis and mRNA levels increased during the transition from mycelium to yeast. In addition, the catalase protein was induced when cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide. The identification and characterization of the PbCATP and cloning and characterization of the cDNA are essential steps for investigating the role of catalase as a defence of P. brasiliensis against oxygen-dependent killing mechanisms. These results suggest that this protein exerts an influence in the virulence of P. brasiliensis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sabrina F I
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Alexandre M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bailão
authors.forename: Mônica S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Rosalia S A
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Jesuino
authors.forename: M Sueli Soares
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Felipe
authors.forename: Maristela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Célia Maria
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: de Almeida Soares
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002374:Catalase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D007526:Isoelectric Point; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D010228:Paracoccidioides / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002374:Catalase