Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

In Vitro Assay to Measure Phosphatidylethanolamine Methyltransferase Activity
09:33

In Vitro Assay to Measure Phosphatidylethanolamine Methyltransferase Activity

Published on: January 5, 2016

9.1K

Biochemical properties and possible roles of ectophosphatase activities in fungi

Anita Leocadio Freitas-Mesquita1, José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes2

  • 1Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), CCS, Bloco H, University City, Fundão Island, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-590, Brazil. anitaleocadio2@gmail.com.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 11, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Ectophosphatases, enzymes on fungal cell surfaces, are crucial for host cell adhesion and potential infection. Understanding their roles aids in developing new antifungal strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Ectophosphatases are extracellular enzymes found on the surface of microorganisms, including pathogenic fungi.
  • Their precise physiological functions remain largely unknown but are hypothesized to involve nutrition, proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, virulence, and infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the presence and potential roles of ectophosphatase activities in fungal cells.
  • To highlight the significance of ectophosphatases in fungal adhesion to host cells as a critical step in infection.

Main Methods:

  • Phosphatase activity assays using living intact fungal cells.
  • Biochemical characterization of ectophosphatase activities, including modulation by inhibitors, metal ions, and pH.
  • Review of existing literature on ectophosphatase functions in fungi.

Main Results:

  • Ectophosphatase activity assays are effective for identifying these enzymes in intact fungal cells.
  • Enzyme activity is differentially modulated by inhibitors, divalent metals, and pH.
  • Evidence suggests ectophosphatases enhance fungal adhesion to host cells, potentially facilitating infection.

Conclusions:

  • Ectophosphatases are significant surface proteins in medically relevant fungi.
  • These enzymes likely play a key role in the initial stages of fungal pathogenesis, particularly host cell adhesion.

More Related Videos

Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates08:59

Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates

Published on: November 23, 2016

14.5K
Enzymatic Modification and Flow Cytometry Assessment of Yeast Surface Displayed Proteins10:54

Enzymatic Modification and Flow Cytometry Assessment of Yeast Surface Displayed Proteins

Published on: May 30, 2025

1.0K

Related Concept Videos

Protein Kinases and Phosphatases02:54

Protein Kinases and Phosphatases

Proteins undergo chemical modifications that trigger changes in the charge, structure, and conformation of the proteins. Phosphorylation, acetylation, glycosylation, nitrosylation, ubiquitination, lipidation, methylation, and proteolysis are various protein modifications that regulate protein activity. Such modifications are usually enzyme-driven.
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
12.1K
Overview of Fungi01:29

Overview of Fungi

Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
2.4K
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to...
119
Phosphorylation01:02

Phosphorylation

The addition or removal of phosphate groups from proteins is the most common chemical modification that regulates cellular processes. These modifications can affect the structure, activity, stability, and localization of proteins within cells as well as their interactions with other proteins.
During phosphorylation, protein kinases transfer the terminal phosphate group of ATP to specific amino acid side chains of substrate proteins. Serine, threonine, and tyrosine are the most commonly...
44.8K
Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine in the ER Membrane01:27

Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine in the ER Membrane

The ER synthesizes lipids for building cell membranes and performing cellular functions such as energy storage and signaling. The lipid synthesis machinery embedded in the ER membrane primarily collects all reactants from the cytosol. Following synthesis, the secretory pathway and the ER contact sites distribute these lipids to other cellular organelles. Additionally, the energy-rich triacylglycerides are transported from the ER via lipid droplets.
The major components of all eukaryotic cell...
3.3K
Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer01:35

Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer

Biological membranes show uneven distribution of different types of lipids in the inner and outer layers, resulting in transverse asymmetric membranes. The treatment of the erythrocyte membrane with the enzyme phospholipase confirmed the asymmetric nature of the lipid bilayer. The enzyme hydrolyzes lipids into fatty acids and hydrophilic groups. The phospholipase acts only on the outer layer of the membrane, while the inner layer remains intact. The phospholipase treatment resulted in 80%...
8.0K