A molecular vision of fungal cell wall organization by functional genomics and solid-state NMR

Arnab Chakraborty, Liyanage D. Fernando, Wenxia Fang, Malitha C. Dickwella Widanage, Pingzhen Wei, Cheng Jin, Thierry Fontaine, Jean-Paul Latgé () and Tuo Wang ()
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Arnab Chakraborty: Louisiana State University
Liyanage D. Fernando: Louisiana State University
Wenxia Fang: Guangxi Academy of Sciences
Malitha C. Dickwella Widanage: Louisiana State University
Pingzhen Wei: Guangxi Academy of Sciences
Cheng Jin: Guangxi Academy of Sciences
Thierry Fontaine: Institut Pasteur
Jean-Paul Latgé: University of Crete
Tuo Wang: Louisiana State University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Vast efforts have been devoted to the development of antifungal drugs targeting the cell wall, but the supramolecular architecture of this carbohydrate-rich composite remains insufficiently understood. Here we compare the cell wall structure of a fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus and four mutants depleted of major structural polysaccharides. High-resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopy of intact cells reveals a rigid core formed by chitin, β-1,3-glucan, and α-1,3-glucan, with galactosaminogalactan and galactomannan present in the mobile phase. Gene deletion reshuffles the composition and spatial organization of polysaccharides, with significant changes in their dynamics and water accessibility. The distribution of α-1,3-glucan in chemically isolated and dynamically distinct domains supports its functional diversity. Identification of valines in the alkali-insoluble carbohydrate core suggests a putative function in stabilizing macromolecular complexes. We propose a revised model of cell wall architecture which will improve our understanding of the structural response of fungal pathogens to stresses.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26749-z

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