Biochemistry of Cell Walls and Membranes in Fungi

Despite the many advances made during the last decade in various aspects of fungal biochemistry, there have been very few volumes devoted to the sub­ ject in recent years. This lack is all the more surprising in view of the increas­ ing use of fungi in gene manipulation studies and in biotechnological ap­ plications, and of the current interest in the biorational discovery of novel agents for the control of fungal pathogens of plants and humans. We hope that this book goes some way to rectifying this situation by providing an up­ to-date account of selected developments in two important areas, namely cell walls and membranes. Topics included in the book concern both yeasts and filamentous fungi. Although the main emphasis is on biogenesis, functional aspects are also discussed, e.g. the role of glycoproteins in recognition of sterols in mem­ branes and of calcium in regulation. Several contributions describe in­ terference with the 'normal' biochemistry of cell walls and membranes with a view to increasing fundamental knowledge, but also highly relevant to the design of new fungicides and antimycotics. The steadily increasing impact of molecular biology on the study of fungal biochemistry is highlighted throughout. Front Matter....Pages I-XIII Cell Walls and Membranes in Fungi — An Introduction....Pages 1-4 Fungal Cell Walls — A Review....Pages 5-30 Chitin Synthesis in Yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae )....Pages 31-41 A Novel Computer Model for Generating Cell Shape: Application to Fungal Morphogenesis....Pages 43-60 Inhibition of Chitin Metabolism....Pages 61-79 Wall Structure, Wall Growth, and Fungal Cell Morphogenesis....Pages 81-95 Cellulose and β -Glucan Synthesis in Saprolegnia ....Pages 97-107 Synthesis and Function of Glycosylated Proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae ....Pages 109-118 Lipids in the Structure and Function of Fungal Membranes....Pages 119-133 Importance and Role of Sterols in Fungal Membranes....Pages 135-157 HMG-CoA to Isopentenyl Pyrophosphate — Enzymology and Inhibition....Pages 159-167 Isopentenyl Diphosphate to Squalene — Enzymology and Inhibition....Pages 169-188 Squalene Epoxidase — Enzymology and Inhibition....Pages 189-203 Inhibition of Sterol Biosynthesis in Higher Plants by Analogues of High Energy Carbocationic Intermediates....Pages 205-222 Lanosterol to Ergosterol — Enzymology, Inhibition and Genetics....Pages 223-243 Biosynthesis and Role of Phospholipids in Yeast Membranes....Pages 245-260 Inhibitors of Phospholipid Biosynthesis....Pages 261-281 Transduction of the Calcium Signal with Special Reference to Ca 2+ -Induced Conidiation in Penicillium notatum ....Pages 283-298 Structure and Function of Fungal Plasma-Membrane ATPases....Pages 299-316 Back Matter....Pages 317-327 This book surveys recent advances in the biochemistry of cell walls and membranes in yeasts and filamentous fungi. While the main emphasis is on biogenesis, functional aspects are also discussed e.g. the role of glycoproteins in recognition, of sterols in membranes and of calcium in regulation. Several contributions describe the interference with the normal biochemistry of cell walls and membranes with a view to increasing fundamental knowledge, but also highly relevant to the design of novel fungicides and antimycotics. The steadily increasing impact of molecular biology on the study of fungal biochemistry is highlighted throughout. Readers will benefit from an up-to-date account of developments presented by internationally acknowledged experts. The book will be invaluable to biochemists and physiologists working with fungi.