Identification of protein and mannoprotein antigens of Candida albicans of relevance for the serodiagnosis of invasive candidiasis.
Antigens from Candida albicans blastoconidia and germ tubes were identified by two-dimensional electrophoresis and Western blotting and characterized by microsequencing, reactivity with concanavalin A, and a panel of human sera. Antigens identified included a polydispersed area in the acidic high-molecular-mass regions of blastoconidium and germ-tube extracts, and 16 antigens varying in molecular masses and isoelectric points (pIs). The majority of the detected antigens, especially those in the polydispersed region, showed mannosyl groups, as determined by concanavalin A reactivity. Antibodies present in sera from patients with invasive candidiasis showed high reactivity with a number of antigens not detected with sera from blood donors. Eight of the 16 antigens could be identified by reactivity with monoclonal antibodies or by microsequencing. Five antigens showed homology with five enzymes previously described as antigens in C. albicans: enolase, phosphoglycerate kinase, malate dehydrogenase, and two isoforms of the fructose biphosphate aldolase. However, to our knowledge, this is the first report of the immunogenic activity of a kexin precursor, a mitochondrial complex I chaperone, and a diacylglycerol kinase catalytic domain from C. albicans. Antigens described in this study may be of potential interest for the serodiagnosis of invasive candidiasis.
Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain. fl.hernando@ehu.es
Fernando L
FL
Hernando
Esther
E
Calvo
Ana
A
Abad
Andoni
A
Ramírez
Aitor
A
Rementería
María J
MJ
Sevilla
José
J
Pontón
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods*
D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C025363:mannoproteins