MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

The fungal STRIPAK complex: Cellular conductor orchestrating growth and pathogenicity

Summary

The STRIPAK complex is a cellular control hub found in fungi that acts like a conductor orchestrating multiple cellular processes essential for fungal growth and the ability to cause disease. Scientists have discovered that this complex is highly conserved across different fungal species and regulates critical virulence factors like melanin production and capsule formation in pathogenic fungi. Because the fungal version differs from the human version, it presents a promising target for developing selective antifungal medications. Understanding how STRIPAK works provides insights into how fungi cause infections and could lead to new treatment strategies.

Background

The STRIPAK complex is a highly conserved, multi-subunit signaling module found throughout eukaryotes from fungi to mammals. It consists of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and associated regulatory proteins including striatin family members. STRIPAK has been shown to control numerous cellular processes including cell migration, polarity, cell cycle progression, and developmental pathways.

Objective

This review summarizes current knowledge of STRIPAK complexes in fungi, with focus on their roles in signaling networks governing growth, differentiation, and pathogenesis. The authors examine the structural conservation of STRIPAK components across fungal species and their functional contributions to fungal development and virulence.

Results

STRIPAK components are required for sexual and asexual development, cell polarity, hyphal morphogenesis, and virulence in diverse fungi including Neurospora crassa, Aspergillus nidulans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Fusarium species. STRIPAK regulates key signaling pathways including MAP kinase cascades and TORC2, and localizes to specific subcellular compartments including the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria to coordinate signaling.

Conclusion

STRIPAK functions as a critical regulatory hub integrating multiple signaling pathways to control fungal growth, development, and pathogenesis. While broadly conserved across eukaryotes, fungal STRIPAK exhibits species-specific functions and sequence divergence from mammalian counterparts, suggesting potential as a selective antifungal target. Future studies should elucidate precise molecular mechanisms and identify druggable sites for therapeutic development.
  • Published in:PLoS Pathogens,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 40953055, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013500
Scroll to Top