PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF A TRANSFERRIN-LIKE MOLECULE OF PATHOGENIC YEAST CRYPTOCOCCUS-NEOFORMANS

We have partially characterized, purified, and N-terminal amino acid s equenced a protein of approximately 80 kDa from Cryptococcus neoforman s, Of the 15 N-terminal amino acids sequenced, 12 are identical to tho se found in ovotransferrin. Polyclonal antisera raised against ovotran sferrin crossreacted with the 80kDa protein. In addition, incorporatio n of Fe-55 indicated the presence of iron binding by the 80 kDa protei n, Because Cryptococcus neoformans does not possess an iron-scavenging ligand, siderophore, we suggest that an alternative transferrin-like molecule (the 80 kDa protein) may play a role in iron uptake by this o rganism.