Keratinolytic proteinase produced by candida albicans

Abstract

Candida albicans was cultivated in various media that contained human stratum corneum, human scalp hair or keratin powder (cow's hoof) as a nitrogen source. Production of a keratinolytic proteinase (KPase) was observed when C. albicans was incubated in the medium containing stratum corneum. However, there was no production of a KPase that could digest human stratum corneum in the medium containing hair or keratin powder. αfibrous protein extracted from human stratum corneum was digested by the KPase. The pH optimum of the enzyme was 4·0 and enzyme activity was inhibited by pepstatin A and chymostatin. The KPase, a kind of carboxyl proteinase, may be important for C. albicans to enable it to play a pathogenic role in vivo. © 1984 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.