真菌几丁质合酶的研究进展

真菌细胞壁几丁质的合成是一个复杂的过程, 其关键酶为几丁质合酶(CS)。近年来, 丝状真菌中的CS研究有了大的突破, 与酿酒酵母中只有3种CS不同, 丝状真菌中存在7种类别的CS。大部分临床和农业中重要的病原真菌都是丝状真菌, 文中对真菌中7种类别CS的结构和功能作了概述, 重点讨论了丝状真菌中重要的CS类别, 并介绍了CS作为抗真菌药物有效靶标的研究现状, 旨在为研究真菌CS及其抑制剂提供参考。

Progress in the Studies of Fungal Chitin Synthases

Chitin is one of the most important component in fungal cell wall. Biosynthesis of chitin is a complex processes and needs several chitin synthase isoenzymes. The knowledge of structure, function and regulation of chitin synthases is mainly derived from the study of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In contrast with the 3 chitin synthases in S. cerevisiae, 7 were found in most filamentous fungi. In this review the classification and function of chitin synthases are summerized, and progress in the studies on chitin synthases of filamentous fungi which are of theoretical or medical or agricultural importance, including Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Ustilago maydis are emphasized. Recent advance of research on chitin synthase as antifungal target is also discussed.