Understanding Aspergillus fumigatus galactosaminogalactan biosynthesis: A few questions remain
Half a century after their discovery, polymers of N-acetylgalactosamine produced by the Aspergilli have garnered new interest as mediators of fungal virulence. Recent work has focused on the Aspergillus fumigatus secreted and cell wall-associated heteropolymer, galactosaminogalactan (GAG). This poly...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-12-01
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| Series: | The Cell Surface |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468233023000026 |
| _version_ | 1797802137652035584 |
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| author | François Le Mauff Donald C. Sheppard |
| author_facet | François Le Mauff Donald C. Sheppard |
| author_sort | François Le Mauff |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Half a century after their discovery, polymers of N-acetylgalactosamine produced by the Aspergilli have garnered new interest as mediators of fungal virulence. Recent work has focused on the Aspergillus fumigatus secreted and cell wall-associated heteropolymer, galactosaminogalactan (GAG). This polymer, composed of galactose (Gal) and partially deacetylated N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), plays a role in a variety of pathogenic processes including biofilm formation, immune modulation and evasion, and resistance to antifungals. Given its many potential contributions to fungal pathogenesis, GAG is a promising therapeutic target for novel antifungal strategies. As such, several studies have sought to elucidate the biosynthetic pathways required for GAG production and secretion. Herein we review the progress made in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying GAG synthesis and identify several gaps in our understanding of this process. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T05:02:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d748b189b3cf452a96e439981063d3d4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2468-2330 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T05:02:09Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Cell Surface |
| spelling | doaj.art-d748b189b3cf452a96e439981063d3d42023-06-17T05:20:08ZengElsevierThe Cell Surface2468-23302023-12-019100095Understanding Aspergillus fumigatus galactosaminogalactan biosynthesis: A few questions remainFrançois Le Mauff0Donald C. Sheppard1Infectious Disease and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Corresponding authors.Infectious Disease and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Corresponding authors.Half a century after their discovery, polymers of N-acetylgalactosamine produced by the Aspergilli have garnered new interest as mediators of fungal virulence. Recent work has focused on the Aspergillus fumigatus secreted and cell wall-associated heteropolymer, galactosaminogalactan (GAG). This polymer, composed of galactose (Gal) and partially deacetylated N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), plays a role in a variety of pathogenic processes including biofilm formation, immune modulation and evasion, and resistance to antifungals. Given its many potential contributions to fungal pathogenesis, GAG is a promising therapeutic target for novel antifungal strategies. As such, several studies have sought to elucidate the biosynthetic pathways required for GAG production and secretion. Herein we review the progress made in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying GAG synthesis and identify several gaps in our understanding of this process.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468233023000026A. fumigatusGalactosaminogalactanBiofilmBiosynthesisPolysaccharide |
| spellingShingle | François Le Mauff Donald C. Sheppard Understanding Aspergillus fumigatus galactosaminogalactan biosynthesis: A few questions remain The Cell Surface A. fumigatus Galactosaminogalactan Biofilm Biosynthesis Polysaccharide |
| title | Understanding Aspergillus fumigatus galactosaminogalactan biosynthesis: A few questions remain |
| title_full | Understanding Aspergillus fumigatus galactosaminogalactan biosynthesis: A few questions remain |
| title_fullStr | Understanding Aspergillus fumigatus galactosaminogalactan biosynthesis: A few questions remain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding Aspergillus fumigatus galactosaminogalactan biosynthesis: A few questions remain |
| title_short | Understanding Aspergillus fumigatus galactosaminogalactan biosynthesis: A few questions remain |
| title_sort | understanding aspergillus fumigatus galactosaminogalactan biosynthesis a few questions remain |
| topic | A. fumigatus Galactosaminogalactan Biofilm Biosynthesis Polysaccharide |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468233023000026 |
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