Development and Use of a Monoclonal Antibody Specific for the Cell-Surface Protein Hwp1.

The cell-surface protein Hwp1 functions in adhesion to the host and in biofilm formation. A peptide from the Gln-Pro-rich adhesive domain of Hwp1 was used to raise monoclonal antibody (MAb) 2-E8. MAb 2-E8 specificity for Hwp1 was demonstrated using a isolate and strains that expressed at least one allele. Immunofluorescence and atomic force microscopy experiments using MAb 2-E8 confirmed germ-tube-specific detection of the Hwp1 protein. MAb 2-E8 also immunolabeled the tips of some germ tubes grown under conditions that maximized expression. The phylogeny of and closely related genes suggested that the Gln-Pro-rich adhesive domain was unique to and focusing the utility of MAb 2-E8 on these species. This new reagent can be used to address unanswered questions about Hwp1 and its interactions with other proteins in the context of biology and pathogenesis.