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Preparation of Fungal and Plant Materials for Structural Elucidation Using Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Solid-State NMR
Published on: February 12, 2019
Fungal cell wall organization and biosynthesis
1Department of Biological Sciences, SUNY, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA. free@buffalo.edu
Advances in Genetics
|February 20, 2013
Summary
Fungal cell walls, composed of chitin, glucans, and glycoproteins, exhibit significant variability but share a common cross-linked matrix essential for integrity. Post-translational modifications of cell wall proteins are crucial for this matrix formation and cell protection.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Fungal cell walls are critical for cell integrity and interaction with the environment.
- Major components include chitin, glucans (β-1,3-, β-1,6-, α-1,3-), melanin, and glycoproteins.
- Variability exists in cell wall composition and organization across different fungal species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare and contrast the composition and organization of cell walls from diverse fungal species.
- To discuss the biosynthesis and properties of major fungal cell wall constituents.
- To elucidate the role of post-translational modifications and cross-linking enzymes in cell wall integrity.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of cell wall composition across Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Neurospora crassa, and Cryptococcus neoformans.
- Discussion of biosynthetic pathways for chitin, glucans, and glycoproteins.
- Examination of protein post-translational modifications, including glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchoring and oligosaccharide additions.
- Review of cross-linking enzyme activities.
Main Results:
- Fungal cell walls display considerable variability in their constituent molecules and structural organization.
- Despite variability, all analyzed cell walls form a cross-linked matrix essential for structural integrity.
- Chitin and glucans are synthesized via plasma membrane-associated enzymes.
- Glycoproteins undergo extensive post-translational modifications within the secretory pathway, crucial for matrix cross-linking.
Conclusions:
- Fungal cell wall structure is diverse yet unified by a cross-linked matrix.
- Protein post-translational modifications are vital for establishing this matrix and ensuring cell wall integrity.
- Cell wall proteins play multifaceted roles, including structural support, adhesion, and environmental sensing.
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