Extracellular glycoprotein from virulent and avirulent Cryptococcus species

Two virulent strains of Cryptococcus neoformans and two nonvirulent forms (C. albidus and C. laurentii) were grown in liquid culture to produce maximal capsule formation. A glycoprotein was isolated from the culture medium and was homogeneous as determined by cellulose acetate electrophoresis and anion-exchange chromatography. The amino acid, neutral sugar, amino sugar, uronic acid, and O-acetyl compositions and the infrared spectra of the glycoprotein were determined. The product of the C. neoformans strains contained more mannose and uronic acid than did that from the nonpathogenic strains. O-acetyl groups were absent from glycoprotein of the two nonpathogens.