INCORPORATION OF SPECIFIC WALL PROTEINS DURING YEAST AND MYCELIAL PROTOPLAST REGENERATION IN CANDIDA-ALBICANS

The kinectics of incorporation of two precursor mannoproteins into the regenerating cell wall of Candida albicans protoplasts have been foll owed at 28 degrees C and 37 degrees C using two monoclonal antibodies specific for protein epitopes (MAb 1B12 and 4C12) as probes. Both mole cules were secreted from the beginning of the regeneration process, an d their incorporation was retarded significantly. Analysis of the secr eted materials by Western immunblotting with MAb 1B12 allowed the iden tification of two closely migrating bands at apparent Mr higher than 1 70 kDa and significant amounts of a highly polydisperse material of ev en greater molecular mass. Some of these mannoproteinaceous species ca rried both N- and O-glycosidically linked mannose residues, as deduced from their drop in apparent Mr when synthesized in the presence of tu nicamycin and by their reactivity with Concanavalin A. Following secre tion, the molecules reacting with MAb 1B12 were incorporated into the regenerating walls by covalent binding. Then, when the antigen molecul es were solubilized from partially regenerated walls, their mobility d iffered when regeneration took place at 28 degrees C (blastoconidia) o r 37 degrees C (mycelial cells).