The small molecular mass antifungal protein of Penicillium chrysogenum - a mechanism of action oriented review

• Published in: Journal of basic microbiology 2011-12, Vol.51 (6), p.561-571
• Main Authors: Hegedűs, Nikoletta, Leiter, Éva, Kovács, Barbara, Tomori, Valéria, Kwon, Nak-Jung, Emri, Tamás, Marx, Florentine, Batta, Gyula, Csernoch, László, Haas, Hubertus, Yu, Jae-Hyuk, Pócsi, István
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antifungal Agents - chemistry; Antifungal Agents - metabolism; Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; Apoptosis; Calcium - metabolism; Conidiation; Fungal Proteins - chemistry; Fungal Proteins - metabolism; Fungal Proteins - pharmacology; G protein signaling; Models, Molecular; Molecular Weight; Oxidative stress; Penicillium chrysogenum - growth & development; Penicillium chrysogenum - metabolism; Protein Conformation; Signal Transduction; Spores, Fungal - growth & development; Spores, Fungal - metabolism; Two-component signaling
• ISSN: 0233-111X; 1521-4028
• DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201100041

The β‐lactam producing filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum secretes a 6.25 kDa small molecular mass antifungal protein, PAF, which has a highly stable, compact 3D structure and is effective against a wide spectrum of plant and zoo pathogenic fungi. Its precise physiological functions and mode of action need to be elucidated before considering possible biomedical, agricultural or food technological applications. According to some more recent experimental data, PAF plays an important role in the fine‐tuning of conidiogenesis in Penicillium chrysogenum. PAF triggers apoptotic cell death in sensitive fungi, and cell death signaling may be transmitted through two‐component systems, heterotrimeric G protein coupled signal transduction and regulatory networks as well as via alteration of the Ca2+‐homeostasis of the cells. Possible biotechnological applications of PAF are also outlined in the review. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)