Hydrophobins, from molecular structure to multiple functions in fungal development |
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Authors: | Han A. B. Wösten Joseph G. H. Wessels |
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Affiliation: | (1) Groningen Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Department of Plant Biology, Biological Centre, University of Groningen, Kerklaan 30, 9751 NN Haren, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Mycelial fungi secrete small, cysteine-rich, proteins, called hydrophobins, that self-assemble at hydrophilic-hydrophobic interfaces into amphipathic membranes, highly insoluble in case of Class I hydrophobins. By self-assembly at the culture medium-air interface they greatly lower the surface tension enabling emergent structures to grow into the air. By self-assembly at the interface between the hydrophilic cell wall and the air or any other hydrophobic environment, these emergent structures are coated with a hydrophobin membrane. These properties allow hydrophobins to fulfil a broad spectrum of functions in fungal development. They are involved in formation of aerial (reproductive) structures, in aerial dispersion of spores, and they line air channels within fruiting bodies with a hydrophobic coating, probably serving gas exchange. Hydrophobins also mediate hyphal attachment to hydrophobic surfaces such as those of plants. Moreover, they appear involved in complex interhyphal interactions, and in interactions with algae in lichens. Their resistance towards chemical and enzymatic treatments suggests that assembled hydrophobins also protect fungal emergent structures against adverse environmental conditions. |
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Keywords: | aerial growth fruit body formation fungal-host interaction hydrophobin hyphal attachment |
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