Journal
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
Volume 107, Issue 22, Pages 6811-6829Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12749-0
Keywords
Antifungal proteins (AFPs); Transcriptomics; Yeast deletion collection; Cell-penetrating protein; Cell wall integrity; Phosphatidylinositol metabolism
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This study provides insights into the mode of action of PeAfpA by using a model laboratory strain of S. cerevisiae. The results highlight the role of the yeast cell wall in the interaction with PeAfpA, which can be internalized through both energy-dependent and independent mechanisms. Additionally, the study reveals the involvement of the CW integrity pathway and the cAMP-PKA signaling in the PeAfpA killing mechanism.
Antifungal proteins (AFPs) from filamentous fungi offer the potential to control fungal infections that threaten human health and food safety. AFPs exhibit broad antifungal spectra against harmful fungi, but limited knowledge of their killing mechanism hinders their potential applicability. PeAfpA from Penicillium expansum shows strong antifungal potency against plant and human fungal pathogens and stands above other AFPs for being active against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We took advantage of this and used a model laboratory strain of S. cerevisiae to gain insight into the mode of action of PeAfpA by combining (i) transcriptional profiling, (ii) PeAfpA sensitivity analyses of deletion mutants available in the S. cerevisiae genomic deletion collection and (iii) cell biology studies using confocal microscopy. Results highlighted and confirmed the role of the yeast cell wall (CW) in the interaction with PeAfpA, which can be internalized through both energy-dependent and independent mechanisms. The combined results also suggest an active role of the CW integrity (CWI) pathway and the cAMP-PKA signalling in the PeAfpA killing mechanism. Besides, our studies revealed the involvement of phosphatidylinositol metabolism and the participation of ROX3, which codes for the subunit 19 of the RNA polymerase II mediator complex, in the yeast defence strategy. In conclusion, our study provides clues about both the killing mechanism of PeAfpA and the fungus defence strategies against the protein, suggesting also targets for the development of new antifungals.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available