CANDIDA-PARAPSILOSIS EXPRESSES AND SECRETES 2 ASPARTIC PROTEINASES

We have isolated and characterized a second aspartic proteinase secreted by the CHUV E-18 strain of Candida parapsilosis. This proteinase is produced at a level corresponding to approximately 25% of the production of the main proteinase described earlier [1]. This minor proteinase has similar molecular weight and pH optimum but differs in the isoelectric point and in the specificity when compared with the major secreted form. The determination of the amino terminal amino acid sequence identified this minor form of Candida parapsilosis aspartic proteinase as a protein which corresponds to the sequence deduced from genomic DNA originally reported as a pseudogene [1]. We conclude that strain CHUV E-18 of Candida parapsilosis expresses and secretes two different aspartic proteinases.