Between Amyloids and Aggregation Lies a Connection with Strength and Adhesion

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biophysics
• Immunology

Background:

• Fungal cell adhesins play roles in host-pathogen interactions.
• Biofilms are microbial communities that contribute to persistent infections.
• Amyloids are protein aggregates with diverse biological functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the formation and function of amyloids produced by yeast cell adhesins.
• To understand the role of these amyloids in biofilm development and host immune responses.

Main Methods:

• Identification of adhesin amyloid-forming sequences.
• Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and confocal microscopy to visualize cell surface nanodomains.
• Functional assays using antiamyloid perturbants and mutant strains.
• Infection models including candidiasis patients and *Caenorhabditis elegans*.

Main Results:

• Yeast cell adhesins form 2D amyloid nanodomains on cell surfaces upon stretching (e.g., via AFM or laminar flow).
• These nanodomains enhance adhesion avidity and are crucial for biofilm formation and maintenance.
• Fungal surface amyloids were detected in human candidiasis abscesses.
• The presence of fungal amyloids elicits anti-inflammatory responses in both human and *C. elegans* infection models.

Conclusions:

• Fungal adhesins can form amyloid nanodomains in response to mechanical forces, influencing microbial community structure.
• These adhesin amyloids play significant roles in biofilm formation and modulate host immune responses, potentially impacting infection outcomes.