Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Glycogen is a glucose storage molecule composed of branched α-1,4-glucan chains, best known as an energy reserve that can be broken down to fuel central metabolism. Because fungal cells have a specialized need for glucose in building cell wall glucans, we investigated whether glycogen is used for this process. For these studies, we focused on the pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans , which causes ~150,000 deaths per year worldwide. We identified two proteins that influence formation of both glycogen and the cell wall: glycogenin (Glg1), which initiates glycogen synthesis, and a protein that we call Glucan organizing enzyme 1 (Goe1). We found that cells missing Glg1 lack α-1,4-glucan in their walls, indicating that this material is derived from glycogen. Without Goe1, glycogen rosettes are mislocalized and β-1,3-glucan in the cell wall is reduced. Altogether, our results provide mechanisms for a close association between glycogen and cell wall.
Authors: Liza Loza, Tamara L. Doering
Institution: Washington University in St. Louis
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Awards: G1853248658, G2520534782, Discerning the roles of novel glycosyltransferases in the pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, G4513957325, CRYPTOCOCCAL GLYCAN SYNTHESIS, Filling gaps in the cryptococcal wall with glycogen and a novel enzyme, Cryptococcus genomic resources, THE CENTER FOR PLANT AND MICROBIAL COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATE RESEARCH CENTER
OpenAlex ID: W4396887188