EXPRESSION OF THE FIBRINOGEN BINDING MANNOPROTEIN AND THE LAMININ RECEPTOR OF CANDIDA-ALBICANS IN-VITRO AND IN INFECTED-TISSUES

We have previously reported a 37 kDa laminin-binding protein (p37) and a 58 kDa fibrinogen-binding mannoprotein (mp58) on the surface of Can dida albicans. A few yeast cells expressed both functional receptors a t the surface while germ tubes expressed a functional mp58 fibrinogen but not a functional p37 laminin receptor. These receptors were hetero geneously dispersed at the surface as shown by binding of rabbit antis erum to mp58 (PAb anti-mp58) and antiserum to the human high affinity laminin receptor. In this report we have used a dual fluorescence tech nique to determine if the two receptors colocalize, perhaps as part of a receptor complex. Fibrinogen was used as a probe for mp58 and polyc lonal antiserum generated to the p37 (PAb anti-p37) was used as a prob e for the 37 kDa laminin-binding protein. Both receptors were heteroge neously distributed, but the receptors were not colocalized as the are as of concentration of each receptor were different. Immunohistochemic al analysis of tissue sections from patients with disseminated and sup erficial candidiasis with PAb anti-p37 and PAb anti-mp58 revealed that both receptors were also expressed in infected tissues. The patterns of morphological expression were similar to the in vitro patterns dete cted by immunofluorescence.