Identification of Mucor circinelloides antigens recognized by sera from immunocompromised infected mice

Background: Mucor circinelloides is an opportunistic fungus capable of causing mucormycosis, a highly aggressive infection of quick spreading. Besides, it also has a high mortality rate due to late diagnosis and difficult treatment.

Aims: In this study we have identified the most immunoreactive proteins of the secretome and the total protein extract of M. circinelloides using sera from immunocompromised infected mice.

Methods: The proteins of the secretome and the total extract were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis and the most immunoreactive antigens were detected by Western Blot, facing the sera of immunocompromised infected mice to the proteins obtained in both extracts of M. circinelloides.

Results: Seven antigens were detected in the secretome extract, and two in the total extract, all of them corresponding only to three proteins. The enzyme enolase was detected in both extracts, while triosephosphate isomerase was detected in the secretome, and heat shock protein HSS1 in the total extract.

Conclusions: In this work the most immunoreactive antigens of the secretome and the total extract of M. circinelloides were identified. The identified proteins are well known fungal antigens and, therefore, these findings can be useful for future research into alternatives for the diagnosis and treatment of mucormycosis.