Localization by scanning immunoelectron microscopy of triosephosphate isomerase, the molecules responsible for contact-mediated killing of Cryptococcus, on the surface of Staphylococcus.

In our previous studies, TPI were found to be the molecules responsible for contact-killing of C. neoformans by S. aureus cells. Since TPI is a glycolytic protein that functions in the cytoplasm, evidence that TPI is present on the surface of S. aureus was required. In the present study, the presence of TPI on the cell surface of S. aureus was demonstrated by agglutination test and scanning immunoelectron microscopy. Furthermore, TPI was found to be present at a lower density than protein A/G molecules on the surface of S. aureus.