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 followed at 28 degrees C and 37 degrees C using two monoclonal antibodies specific for protein epitopes (MAb 1B12 and 4C12) as probes. Both molecules were secreted from the beginning of the regeneration process, and their incorporation was retarded significantly. Analysis of the secreted materials by Western immunoblotting with MAb 1B12 allowed the identification of two closely migrating bands at apparent Mr higher than 170 kDa and significant amounts of a highly polydisperse material of even greater molecular mass. Some of these mannoproteinaceous species carried both N- and O-glycosidically linked mannose residues, as deduced from their drop in apparent Mr when synthesized in the presence of tunicamycin and by their reactivity with Concanavalin A. Following secretion, the molecules reacting with MAb 1B12 were incorporated into the regenerating walls by covalent binding. Then, when the antigen molecules were solubilized from partially regenerated walls, their mobility differed when regeneration took place at 28 degrees C (blastoconidia) or 37 degrees C (mycelial cells).