Studies on Glycoprotein Toxins Produced by a Candida albicans Strain

II. Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate-Gelling Activity of One of the GP Toxins and the Cellular Mannan Isolated from the Same Strain

Abstract

One of the C. albicans GP toxins (Fr II-2) was demonstrated to possess a Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL)-gelling activity. The mannan moiety of the toxin was considered to contribute in exhibiting the activity. Purified mannans from C. albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae also showed a LAL-gelling activity; the activity of the latter was inactivated by treatment with Oerskovia mannanase. The both mannans manifested a lethal activity for mice when upon i. v. injected, being lower than the GP toxin. The GP toxin showed a pyrogenic activity, while C. albicans mannan did not. The GP toxin, mannan and C. albicans formol-killed cells were found to shorten plasma coagulation time. These results suggest that C. albicans GP toxin are classified into a category of fungal endotoxins.