The use of trypsin to solubilize wall proteins from Candida albicans led to the identification of chitinase 2 as an enzyme covalently linked to the yeast wall structure

Res Microbiol. 2002 May;153(4):227-32. doi: 10.1016/s0923-2508(02)01307-4.

Abstract

The use of trypsin to break proteins covalently linked to the yeast walls of Candida albicans released approx. 50% of the proteins, but also glucose and N-acetylglucosamine. Analysis by affinity chromatography indicated that glucose and/or N-acetylglucosamine formed part of the same supramolecular complexes with mannoproteins. These complexes would represent a new type of cell wall structuration in which beta-1,6 glucan and chitin are linked to proteins. An internal peptide from a 50-kDa protein released by trypsin was sequenced, showing 100% identity with chitinase 2 protein and 92% with chitinase 3. The electrophoretic mobility of the chitinase 2 protein was changed by treatment with EndoH or beta-elimination, indicating that the enzyme was both N- and O-mannosylated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Candida albicans / enzymology*
  • Cell Wall / chemistry
  • Cell Wall / enzymology
  • Chitinases / chemistry*
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Solubility
  • Trypsin / metabolism

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Chitinases
  • Trypsin