Fungal G-Protein-Coupled Receptors: A Promising Mediator of the Impact of Extracellular Signals on Biosynthesis of Ochratoxin A

Jing Gao; Xinge Xu; Kunlun Huang; Zhihong Liang

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2021.631392

Fungal G-Protein-Coupled Receptors: A Promising Mediator of the Impact of Extracellular Signals on Biosynthesis of Ochratoxin A

Front Microbiol. 2021 Feb 12:12:631392. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.631392. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Jing Gao¹, Xinge Xu², Kunlun Huang², Zhihong Liang^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Beijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, Beijing, China.
² College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.

Abstract

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are transmembrane receptors involved in transducing signals from the external environment inside the cell, which enables fungi to coordinate cell transport, metabolism, and growth to promote their survival, reproduction, and virulence. There are 14 classes of GPCRs in fungi involved in sensing various ligands. In this paper, the synthesis of mycotoxins that are GPCR-mediated is discussed with respect to ligands, environmental stimuli, and intra-/interspecific communication. Despite their apparent importance in fungal biology, very little is known about the role of ochratoxin A (OTA) biosynthesis by Aspergillus ochraceus and the ligands that are involved. Fortunately, increasing evidence shows that the GPCR that involves the AF/ST (sterigmatocystin) pathway in fungi belongs to the same genus. Therefore, we speculate that GPCRs play an important role in a variety of environmental signals and downstream pathways in OTA biosynthesis. The verification of this inference will result in a more controllable GPCR target for control of fungal contamination in the future.

Keywords: G protein-coupled receptors; ochratoxin A; oxylipin; quorum sensing; trans-kingdom; transcription factor.

Publication types

Review