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The Flo Adhesin Family

Ronnie G Willaert1,2,3, Yeseren Kayacan1,2,3,4, Bart Devreese2,3,4,5

  • 1Research Group Structural Biology Brussels (SBB), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium.

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Fungal pathogens adhere to hosts via cell wall adhesins. This review redefines the Flo adhesin family, detailing their structure, function, and role in human infections, aiding in understanding fungal adhesion mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Fungal pathogen adhesion to host tissues and medical devices is a critical initial step in human infections.
  • Cell wall adhesins are key molecular players mediating this crucial adhesion process.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the Flo adhesin family and their specific roles in fungal adhesion during human infections.
  • To establish a new classification for Flo adhesins based on domain architecture and function.
  • To identify and discuss yeasts expressing Flo adhesins relevant to human infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and analysis of existing research on Flo adhesins.
  • Redefinition of the Flo adhesin family based on domain structures and known functions.
  • Pfam database mining to identify yeasts expressing Flo adhesins.
  • Analysis of solved Flo adhesin structures to understand adhesion mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • A redefined classification of the Flo adhesin family based on domain architecture.
  • Detailed discussion of the structure, function, and adhesion mechanisms of solved Flo adhesins.
  • Identification of specific yeast species encountered in human infections that express Flo adhesins, along with their architectural features.

Conclusions:

  • The Flo adhesin family plays a significant role in fungal adhesion to host cells and abiotic surfaces.
  • Understanding Flo adhesin structure and function provides insights into fungal pathogenesis.
  • Identification of relevant yeasts and their adhesin architectures aids in developing strategies against fungal infections.
Keywords:
Candida glabrataFlo adhesin familySaccharomyces cerevisiaeabiotic surface adhesionadhesin architectureadhesin structurehost-pathogen interactionpathogenic yeasts

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