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Molecular characterization of AfuFleA, an L-fucose-specific lectin from Aspergillus fumigatus
Satoshi Kuboi1, Toshiyuki Ishimaru, Sadao Tamada
1Infectious Disease Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10021, USA, satkuboi@pc4.so-net.ne.jp.
Abstract:
Aspergillus fumigatus causes life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. We have found that extracts of mycelial mats of A. fumigatus contain a potent hemagglutinin. To clarify the characteristics of this factor, the hemagglutinin was purified from late-stage cultures and characterized at the molecular level. The hemagglutinin is a 32-kilodalton protein that shows activity as an L-fucose lectin. The gene encoding this protein, AfufleA, was identified from a genomic DNA library utilizing consensus primers designed for amino acid sequences obtained from peptides following limited trypsin proteolysis. An open reading frame was found that consists of 942 nucleotides encoding 314 amino acids with a deduced molecular mass of 34,498 and contains all seven of trypsin-digested peptide sequences; four short introns, 49-63 bp, were also identified. AfufleA shares homology with a fucose-specific lectin produced by the orange peel mushroom, Aleuria aurantia. The role of AfufleA fucose-specific lectin is not clear, but this lectin may enhance attachment of fungal spores to mammalian cell membranes and contribute to the pathogenicity of A. fumigatus.
Insights
Researchers discovered a fucose-specific lectin in Aspergillus fumigatus. This protein, AfufleA, may help the fungus attach to host cells, contributing to infections in immunocompromised patients.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus causing severe infections in immunocompromised individuals.
- Hemagglutinins from A. fumigatus mycelial mats have been identified.
- Understanding fungal virulence factors is crucial for treating invasive aspergillosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To purify and characterize the hemagglutinin from A. fumigatus.
- To identify and analyze the gene encoding the hemagglutinin.
- To investigate the potential role of this lectin in fungal pathogenicity.
Main Methods:
- Purification of hemagglutinin from late-stage A. fumigatus cultures.
- Molecular characterization including protein mass determination.
- Gene identification using consensus primers and genomic DNA library screening.
- Sequence analysis and homology searches.
Main Results:
- A 32-kilodalton L-fucose-specific lectin hemagglutinin was purified.
- The gene AfufleA was identified, encoding 314 amino acids with homology to Aleuria aurantia lectin.
- The AfufleA gene contains a 942-nucleotide open reading frame and four introns.
Conclusions:
- A novel fucose-specific lectin, AfufleA, has been identified in Aspergillus fumigatus.
- This lectin may play a role in fungal adhesion to host cells.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise function of AfufleA in A. fumigatus pathogenesis.
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