Identification of wall-specific antigens synthesized during germ tube formation by Candida albicans

Infect Immun. 1989 Jan;57(1):262-71. doi: 10.1128/iai.57.1.262-271.1989.

Abstract

Walls of the two cellular forms (blastoconidia and mycelia) of Candida albicans ATCC 26555 were obtained from cells metabolically labeled (6-h pulse) with 14C-protein hydrolysate and [3H]threonine. Walls were purified by thorough washings with buffered and sodium dodecyl sulfate solutions and digested with Zymolyase 20T. The enzymatic treatment released four major high-molecular-weight mannoproteins (HMWM), with apparent molecular masses of 650, 500, 340, and 200 kilodaltons (HMWM-650, HMWM-500, HMWM-340, and HMWM-200, respectively), from yeast cells, whereas two high-molecular-mass mannoproteins (HMWM-260 and HMWM-180) were solubilized from mycelial cells. Some additional minor low-molecular-weight species were also detected in the enzymatic digests of walls from both types of cell. Single and dual pulse-chase experiments indicated that the HMWM-260 and HMWM-180 species reflect de novo synthesis of new proteins specific for the mycelia and do not represent a topological rearrangement of blastoconidium wall components. Monoclonal antibodies were raised against the HMWM-260 species (quantitatively the predominant component in the mycelial walls), and polyclonal rabbit antibodies were obtained against yeast or mycelial cell walls. Anti-mycelial cell wall polyclonal antibodies were adsorbed to whole killed blastoconidia to remove antibodies against common blastoconidium and mycelial wall antigens. Titration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that the monoclonal antibodies could recognize an epitope of the protein moiety of the HMWM-260 mannoprotein. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence techniques using these monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies confirmed that the HMWM-260 and HMWM-180 species are specific components of the envelope of the mycelial cell walls.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, Fungal / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, Fungal / immunology
  • Antigens, Fungal / isolation & purification*
  • Antigens, Surface / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology
  • Antigens, Surface / isolation & purification
  • Candida albicans / growth & development*
  • Candida albicans / immunology
  • Cell Wall / immunology*
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Epitopes / isolation & purification*
  • Hybridomas / metabolism
  • Immune Sera
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / isolation & purification*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Molecular Weight
  • Reproduction, Asexual

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Fungal
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Epitopes
  • Immune Sera
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • mannoproteins