Molecular fractionation and characterization of a Candida albicans fraction that increases tumor cell adhesion to hepatic endothelium

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2011 Oct;92(1):133-45. doi: 10.1007/s00253-011-3540-8. Epub 2011 Aug 21.

Abstract

Systemic candidiasis remains a major complication among patients suffering from hematological malignancies and favors the development of hepatic metastasis. To contribute to the understanding of the underlying mechanisms, the aim of this study was to identify molecules that may increase tumor cell adhesion to hepatic endothelial cells. To this end, a well-established in vitro model was used to determine the enhancement of tumor cell adhesion induced by Candida albicans and its fractions. Different fractions were obtained according to their molecular weight (M(r)) (five) or to their isoelectric point (pI) (four), using preparative electrophoresis and preparative isoelectric focusing, respectively, followed by affinity chromatography. The fraction that most enhanced melanoma cell adhesion to endothelium had an M(r) range from 45 to 66 kDa. It was characterized using two-dimensional electrophoresis, and 14 proteins were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting: Dor14p, Fba1p, Pdi1p, Pgk1p, Idh2p, Mpg1p, Sfa1p, Ape3p, Ilv5p, Tuf1p, Act1p, Eno1p, Qcr2p, and Adh1p. Of these, several are related to the immunogenic response, and the latter seven belonged to the most reactive fraction according to their pI range, from 5 to 5.6. These findings could represent a step forward in the search for new targets, to suppress the pro-metastatic effect of C. albicans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Candida albicans / chemistry*
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chemical Fractionation
  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • Electrophoresis
  • Endothelium / drug effects*
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry
  • Fungal Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Isoelectric Focusing
  • Isoelectric Point
  • Liver / cytology*
  • Molecular Weight

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins