O-glycosylation

Med Mycol. 2001:39 Suppl 1:67-74.

Abstract

O-Glycosylation in many fungal species is initiated in the endoplasmic reticulum by protein mannosyltransferases (Pmt-proteins), which transfer mannose to serine or threonine residues, and it is completed by mannosyltransferases (Mnt-proteins) in the Golgi. In this review, some recent results on O-glycosylation in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans are discussed and compared to the corresponding knowledge in the non-pathogenic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The Pmt-family in C. albicans comprises five isoforms, of which Pmt1p and Pmt6p have been studied in detail. Surprisingly, O-glycosylation mediated by Pmt-proteins is required not only for the modification of several secreted and cell-wall proteins, but also affects yeast-hyphal morphogenesis (dimorphism) and resistance to several antifungal compounds. Furthermore, Pmt1- and Pmt6p-activities maximize adherence to host cells and determine or contribute to virulence in models of systemic infection. Thus, O-glycosylation processes directly and/or indirectly affect several virulence traits of C. albicans and can be considered as potential antifungal targets.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / growth & development
  • Candida albicans / metabolism*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism*
  • Glycosylation
  • Golgi Apparatus / enzymology
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry
  • Isoenzymes / physiology
  • Mannose / metabolism*
  • Mannosyltransferases / chemistry
  • Mannosyltransferases / physiology*
  • Serine / metabolism*
  • Threonine / metabolism*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Isoenzymes
  • Threonine
  • Serine
  • Mannosyltransferases
  • Mannose