A Variety of Candida Proteinases and their Possible Targets of Proteolytic Attack in the Host

Acid proteinases are secreted by the majority of strains of Candida albicans, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis, reflecting the sequence of virulence of Candida spp. for man. As revealed by exposure to various substrates and inhibitors, Candida proteinases are strainspecific, although close relationships exist between enzymes from strains of the same species. Possible targets of hydrolytic attack by Candida proteinases in the host are immunoglobulins, the proteinase scavenger alpha-2-macroglobulin, zymogens of regulatory serine proteinases such as coagulation factor X, and angiotensinogen. The involvement of Candida proteinase in the pathogenesis of acronecrosis is discussed.