Altering the fungal cell wall integrity and practical aspects of these modifications

Abstract

In this chapter we compare the cell wall structure of filamentous fungi and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The genetic engineering of the cell wall of Trichoderma, Aspergillus, Neurospora, S. cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Hansenula polymorpha, Kluyveromyces and others is discussed and the consequences of direct changes in the synthesis of cell wall components, especially those affecting protein production and secretion by the mutants and their sensitivity to antifungal agents are highlighted. Furthermore, we discuss the close correlation between the cell wall structure and the activity of enzymes engaged in protein glycosylation and in the biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors. We also show problems with stability of the generated changes in the cell wall structure, which are detected and often overcome by cell wall compensatory mechanisms.