Interaction of pathogenic fungi with host cells: Molecular and cellular approaches.
This review provides an overview of several molecular and cellular approaches that are likely to supply insights into the host-fungus interaction. Fungi present intra- and/or extracellular host-parasite interfaces, the parasitism phenomenon being dependent on complementary surface molecules. The entry of the pathogen into the host cell is initiated by the fungus adhering to the cell surface, which generates an uptake signal that may induce its cytoplasmatic internalization. Furthermore, microbial pathogens use a variety of their surface molecules to bind to host extracellular matrix (ECM) components to establish an effective infection. On the other hand, integrins mediate the tight adhesion of cells to the ECM at sites referred to as focal adhesions and also play a role in cell signaling. The phosphorylation process is an important mechanism of cell signaling and regulation; it has been implicated recently in defense strategies against a variety of pathogens that alter host-signaling pathways in order to facilitate their invasion and survival within host cells. The study of signal transduction pathways in virulent fungi is especially important in view of their putative role in the regulation of pathogenicity. This review discusses fungal adherence, changes in cytoskeletal organization and signal transduction in relation to host-fungus interaction.
Mendes-Giannini
Maria José Soares
MJ
Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNESP, Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil. giannini@fcfar.unesp.br
Soares
Christiane Pienna
CP
da Silva
Juliana Leal Monteiro
JL
Andreotti
Patrícia Ferrari
PF
D002448:Cell Adhesion; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005658:Fungi / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014774:Virulence
D005656:Fungal Proteins