Fungal Extracellular Vesicles with a Focus on Proteomic Analysis

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) perform crucial functions in cell-cell communication. The packaging of biomolecules into membrane-enveloped vesicles prior to release into the extracellular environment provides a mechanism for coordinated delivery of multiple signals at high concentrations that is not achievable by classical secretion alone. Most of the understanding of the biosynthesis, composition, and function of EVs comes from mammalian systems. Investigation of fungal EVs, particularly those released by pathogenic yeast species, has revealed diverse cargo including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and small molecules. Fungal EVs are proposed to function in a variety of biological processes including virulence and cell wall homeostasis with a focus on host-pathogen interactions. EVs also carry signals between fungal cells allowing for a coordinated attack on a host during infection. Research on fungal EVs in still in its infancy. Here a review of the literature thus far with a focus on proteomic analysis is provided with respect to techniques, results, and prospects.