Purification of native enolase from medically important Candida species

The 48 kDa glycolytic enzyme, enolase, has been identified as an immunodomi nant antigen in Candida albicans infections. It has also been identified as an important fungal allergen. Enolase from a number of medically important Candida species has been purified using a two-step anion- and cation-excha nge chromatography method that was preceded by an organic extraction. The e nolases purified by this method have a high specific activity and the proce dure is 40% efficient, with an average of 5 mg of enolase/g of Candida cell s. The purification of native enolase from medically important Candida spec ies will enable the immunological significance and interspecies relationshi ps of this major fungal antigen to be investigated.