Genetic and chemical perturbation of 1,3-β-glucan synthesis to compromise yeast cell wall integrity

Kubo Karen, Ohya Yoshikazu

doi:10.5685/plmorphol.30.59

<p>1,3-β-glucan is a polysaccharide commonly present in plants and fungi, and it is a major constituent of the cell wall in particular in the budding yeast. In this article, we reviewed two recent studies on 1,3-β-glucan synthesis, i.e., (1) the role of the1,3-β-glucan synthesis in cell wall integrity checkpoint and (2) new antifungal agent targeting 1,3-β-glucan synthesis. The cell wall integrity checkpoint is one of the cell cycle check point activated when the synthesis of 1,3-β-glucan is perturbed. The outline of the checkpoint mechanism has recently been clarified. When the sensor embedded in the cell wall senses perturbation of the cell wall synthesis, it results in repressed transcription of the M phase cyclin Clb2 via two MAP kinases and the transcription factor cascade, leading to cell cycle arrest at the G2 phase. It is interesting that higher plants also have a mechanism linking cell wall synthesis and cell proliferation. It is widely accepted that synthesis of 1,3-β-glucan is indispensable for cell proliferation and has long been a target of antifungal agents. Recently a new antifungal agent named poacic acid was investigated. Poacic acid is derived from the hydrolytic product from the lignocellulose of the plant Poaceae. Studies using yeast cells revealed that poacic acid binds to 1,3-β-glucan and inhibits the activity of its synthetic enzyme. Since it acts on a broad spectrum of fungi, it is expected as plant-derived next-generation agrichemicals.</p>

Genetic and chemical perturbation of 1,3-β-glucan synthesis to compromise yeast cell wall integrity

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