F. Tesfaselase et Rj. Hay, PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF A TRANSFERRIN-LIKE MOLECULE OF PATHOGENIC YEAST CRYPTOCOCCUS-NEOFORMANS, Journal of General and Applied Microbiology, 42(1), 1996, pp. 61-70
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.