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Probing Cell-Surface Interactions in Fungal Cell Walls by High-Resolution 1H-Detected Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

Summary

This research used advanced magnetic imaging techniques to study the detailed structure of fungal cell walls and how they interact with different substances. The findings help us better understand how fungi build their protective outer layers and how these structures interact with their environment. Impact on everyday life: – Could lead to better antifungal medications for treating infections – May help develop new sustainable materials to replace plastics – Could improve our ability to use fungi for environmental cleanup – May enhance our understanding of food preservation and spoilage – Could lead to advances in biotechnology applications using fungi

Background

The fungal cell wall plays a key role in fungal function both in nature and biotechnology. It provides mechanical strength, acts as a diffusion barrier, and is the primary interface for immune system interactions. Despite their importance, relatively little is known about the molecular architecture of fungal cell walls. Traditional analysis methods were destructive, but solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful non-destructive tool to analyze whole cells and cell walls.

Objective

To demonstrate the utility of high and ultra-high field 1H-detected fast MAS ssNMR spectroscopy to elucidate the atomic-level composition and structural arrangement of the cell wall of Schizophyllum commune, a mushroom-forming fungus. The study aimed to reveal how Cu(II) ions and antifungal peptide Cathelicidin-2 interact with cell wall components and provide deeper insight into the molecular makeup and positioning of polysaccharide and polypeptide layers.

Results

The study revealed new polysaccharide species including N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc) and provided structural insight into cell wall proteins, which were found to be mostly unstructured. Cu(II) ions mainly bound to cell wall proteins at low concentrations while glucans were targeted at higher concentrations. The antifungal peptide CATH-2 showed specific interactions with both proteins and polysaccharides in the cell wall.

Conclusion

High and ultra-high field 1H-detected ssNMR spectroscopy proved powerful in advancing understanding of fungal cell wall architecture and its interactions with external binding partners. The technique allowed for detailed atomic-scale analysis of binding locations and helped refine the current model of the S. commune cell wall structure. These advances will enable future studies of various substrate interactions with intact fungal cell walls, benefiting applications from biomaterial science to antifungal research.
  • Published in:Chemistry - A European Journal,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.1002/chem.202202616
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