Characterization of a 52 kDa exoantigen of Penicillium chrysogenum and monoclonal antibodies suitable for its detection.

The indoor clade of Penicillium chrysogenum, the so-called Fleming clade, is the most common species of Penicillium on moldy building materials. In a previous study, we identified a 52 kDa human antigen characteristic of the indoor clade of P. chrysogenum not present in a taxonomically diverse selection of fungi. Further investigations revealed that it is a modestly glycosylated mature protein with a pI 5.3. The protein is apparently identical to a glucoamylase previously reported from an aluminum-tolerant P. chrysogenum mutant. Based on sequence similarity, molecular weight, and pI, it is distinct from a number of other glucoamylases from domesticated strains of Aspergillus oryzae and A. niger used to produce industrial enzymes. Surprisingly, it had not been reported as an allergen. The monoclonal antibodies developed have the potential for use in assays of P. chrysogenum antigens in spores and spore/mycelial fragments in dust.