Identification of Candida albicans exposed surface proteins in vivo by a rapid proteomic approach.

We have set up a fast and easy methodology to identify cell-surface proteins in live yeasts. A non-gel proteomic approach was based on a short period of trypsin treatment followed by peptide separation and identification using nano-LC followed by off-line MS/MS. Candida albicans was used as a model organism and proteins involved in cell wall organization, cell rescue, defense, virulence, transport, protein fate and metabolism were identified. This strategy is a powerful tool to study host-pathogen interactions and to look for potential vaccine candidates and drug targets.