THE ROLE OF CANDIDA-ALBICANS SECRETED ASPARTIC PROTEINASE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANDIDOSES

Although Candida albicans infections in humans are increasingly freque nt, our understanding of the host-parasite relationship is limited. Th e secreted aspartic proteinase of C. albicans was first described in 1 965 and has proved to be a major factor in virulence. This enzyme belo ngs to the class of aspartic proteinases which includes pepsin and ren in in humans. Although found in some fungi, secreted aspartic proteina se is rare in these organisms. While the existence of several isoenzym es may not be fully established, it is now obvious that at least seven different genes encode for secreted aspartic proteinase. Within Candi da cells it is located in membrane-bound vesicles. Upon fusion of thes e subcellular structures within the plasma membrane, the enzyme is rel eased to the environment. In the context of human mucosal diseases it is responsible both for adhesion and invasion. Strains from HIV-infect ed patients with oral candidosis generally exhibit higher enzymatic ac tivity than control strains. In future secreted aspartic proteinase ma y prove a prime target for new types of antimycotics.