Effect of nucleotides on glucan synthesis inParacoccidioides brasiliensis

Effect of ajoene on dimorphism of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Ajoene, a compound derived from ethanolic garlic extracts, inhibits the growth of the dimorphic pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, yeast cells being more sensitive to its action than mycelial cultures. Sulphydryl protector groups were able to cancel the inhibitory effect on the yeast cells but not on the mycelial cultures. The dimorphic process was also blocked when mycelia were placed to transform to yeast. Synthesis in vitro of cell wall glucan was not affected by ajoene. We discuss the possible involvement of ajoene on sulphydryl metabolism of P. brasiliensis.

Biosynthesis of beta-glucans in fungi

Glucans are the most abundant polysaccharides present in fungi. The present review provides updated information on the structure and synthesis of beta-glucans in fungal cells. Synthesis of these polymers made up of B1,3 chains with a variable degree of B1,6 branching involves several reactions: initiation, chain elongation and branching, of which the most studied one is the elongation step. This reaction, catalyzed by the so-called glucan synthetases, utilizes UDPG as sugar donor. Properties of glucan synthetases are extremely variable depending on the fungal species, and their developmental stage. Because of the importance of these polysaccharides it is anticipated that comprehension of their mechanism of synthesis, is important for the understanding of cell wall assembly and cell growth and morphogenesis, as well as for the design of specific antifungal drugs.