Chitin Biosynthesis in <i>Aspergillus</i> Species
The fungal cell wall (FCW) is a dynamic structure responsible for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, and is essential for modulating the interaction of the fungus with its environment. It is composed of proteins, lipids, pigments and polysaccharides, including chitin. Chitin synthesis is catal...
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Fungi |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/9/1/89 |
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| author | Veronica S. Brauer André M. Pessoni Mateus S. Freitas Marinaldo P. Cavalcanti-Neto Laure N. A. Ries Fausto Almeida |
| author_facet | Veronica S. Brauer André M. Pessoni Mateus S. Freitas Marinaldo P. Cavalcanti-Neto Laure N. A. Ries Fausto Almeida |
| author_sort | Veronica S. Brauer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The fungal cell wall (FCW) is a dynamic structure responsible for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, and is essential for modulating the interaction of the fungus with its environment. It is composed of proteins, lipids, pigments and polysaccharides, including chitin. Chitin synthesis is catalyzed by chitin synthases (CS), and up to eight CS-encoding genes can be found in <i>Aspergillus</i> species. This review discusses in detail the chitin synthesis and regulation in <i>Aspergillus</i> species, and how manipulation of chitin synthesis pathways can modulate fungal growth, enzyme production, virulence and susceptibility to antifungal agents. More specifically, the metabolic steps involved in chitin biosynthesis are described with an emphasis on how the initiation of chitin biosynthesis remains unknown. A description of the classification, localization and transport of CS was also made. Chitin biosynthesis is shown to underlie a complex regulatory network, with extensive cross-talks existing between the different signaling pathways. Furthermore, pathways and recently identified regulators of chitin biosynthesis during the caspofungin paradoxical effect (CPE) are described. The effect of a chitin on the mammalian immune system is also discussed. Lastly, interference with chitin biosynthesis may also be beneficial for biotechnological applications. Even after more than 30 years of research, chitin biosynthesis remains a topic of current interest in mycology. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:03:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-235faea2390541019e4d94a74bb79ebe |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2309-608X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:03:25Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj.art-235faea2390541019e4d94a74bb79ebe2023-11-30T23:00:10ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2023-01-01918910.3390/jof9010089Chitin Biosynthesis in <i>Aspergillus</i> SpeciesVeronica S. Brauer0André M. Pessoni1Mateus S. Freitas2Marinaldo P. Cavalcanti-Neto3Laure N. A. Ries4Fausto Almeida5Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01000-000, BrazilDepartment of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01000-000, BrazilDepartment of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01000-000, BrazilIntegrated Laboratory of Morphofunctional Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability (NUPEM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 27965-045, BrazilMRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UKDepartment of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01000-000, BrazilThe fungal cell wall (FCW) is a dynamic structure responsible for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, and is essential for modulating the interaction of the fungus with its environment. It is composed of proteins, lipids, pigments and polysaccharides, including chitin. Chitin synthesis is catalyzed by chitin synthases (CS), and up to eight CS-encoding genes can be found in <i>Aspergillus</i> species. This review discusses in detail the chitin synthesis and regulation in <i>Aspergillus</i> species, and how manipulation of chitin synthesis pathways can modulate fungal growth, enzyme production, virulence and susceptibility to antifungal agents. More specifically, the metabolic steps involved in chitin biosynthesis are described with an emphasis on how the initiation of chitin biosynthesis remains unknown. A description of the classification, localization and transport of CS was also made. Chitin biosynthesis is shown to underlie a complex regulatory network, with extensive cross-talks existing between the different signaling pathways. Furthermore, pathways and recently identified regulators of chitin biosynthesis during the caspofungin paradoxical effect (CPE) are described. The effect of a chitin on the mammalian immune system is also discussed. Lastly, interference with chitin biosynthesis may also be beneficial for biotechnological applications. Even after more than 30 years of research, chitin biosynthesis remains a topic of current interest in mycology.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/9/1/89<i>Aspergillus</i> spp.chitinchitin synthasefungal cell wallcaspofungin paradoxical effectcalcineurin |
| spellingShingle | Veronica S. Brauer André M. Pessoni Mateus S. Freitas Marinaldo P. Cavalcanti-Neto Laure N. A. Ries Fausto Almeida Chitin Biosynthesis in <i>Aspergillus</i> Species Journal of Fungi <i>Aspergillus</i> spp. chitin chitin synthase fungal cell wall caspofungin paradoxical effect calcineurin |
| title | Chitin Biosynthesis in <i>Aspergillus</i> Species |
| title_full | Chitin Biosynthesis in <i>Aspergillus</i> Species |
| title_fullStr | Chitin Biosynthesis in <i>Aspergillus</i> Species |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chitin Biosynthesis in <i>Aspergillus</i> Species |
| title_short | Chitin Biosynthesis in <i>Aspergillus</i> Species |
| title_sort | chitin biosynthesis in i aspergillus i species |
| topic | <i>Aspergillus</i> spp. chitin chitin synthase fungal cell wall caspofungin paradoxical effect calcineurin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/9/1/89 |
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