Antioxidative and immunogenic properties of catalase-peroxidase protein in Penicillium marneffei. (November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pongpom, Monsicha; Sawatdeechaikul, Pritsana; Kummasook, Aksarakorn; Khanthawong, Sophit; Vanittanakom, Nongnuch
• Is Part Of: Medical mycology. Volume 51:Number 8(2013)
• Page Start: 835
• Page End: 842
• Publication Date: 2013-11
• Subjects: Medical mycology -- Periodicals; Veterinary mycology -- Periodicals; Mycology -- Periodicals; Mycoses -- Periodicals; Pathogenic fungi -- Periodicals; 616.969005
• DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2013.807445
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-3786

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Penicillium marneffei</italic> is a significant opportunistic fungal pathogen in Southeast Asia and its ability to survive inside the host macrophages is believed to be important in the establishment of infection. Previously, we isolated a gene encoding a catalase- peroxidase (<italic>cpeA</italic>) from <italic>P. marneffei</italic> and showed that the <italic>cpeA</italic> transcript is specifically upregulated during yeast phase growth at 37°C. In this study, the <italic>cpeA</italic> transcript was found to be induced during the mycelium to yeast phase transition and during stress conditions induced by hydrogen peroxide treatment. Null mutation of <italic>cpeA</italic> reduced the fungal tolerance to hydrogen peroxide but not to heat stress. These results indicated that the CpeA plays a crucial role in this fungus' oxidative stress response. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the CpeA induced antibody production in <italic>P. marneffei</italic>-infected patients, including highly exposed-healthy people. This is the first report that the catalase-peroxidase possesses an immunogenic property in fungi.</p> </abstract>