Functional elucidation of alpha-mannoside beta-galactofuranosyltransferase, a target of antifungal drugs

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05373
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38020:Applied microbiology-related
• Research Institution: Sojo University
• Principal Investigator: Oka Takuji 崇城大学, 生物生命学部, 教授 (50510690)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 糖転移酵素 / 細胞壁 / 糸状菌 / Aspergillus fumigatus / 糖鎖 / ガラクトマンナン / ガラクトフラノース転移酵素 / 糖鎖生合成

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Enzymatic analysis of AfMgfA from the pathogenic filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus revealed that AfMgfA is an α-mannoside β-(1→6)-galactofuranosyltransferase. The crystal structure of AfMgfA provided further insights into its unique characteristics. Unlike the commonly reported DXD motif found in many glycosyltransferases, AfMgfA possesses a novel metal-binding motif. This motif comprises two histidine residues and one glutamine residue, which coordinate a manganese ion. This discovery highlights the structural and functional diversity of glycosyltransferases and provides a foundation for further biochemical studies on AfMgfA.

Free Research Field

応用微生物学、糖鎖生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、チャワンタケ亜門に属する糸状菌が持つ新規なα-マンノシド β-(1→6)-ガラクトフラノース転移酵素であるAfMgfAを発見した。AfMgfAのタンパク質立体構造は既知のいかなる酵素とも類似性を示さない全く新しいものであった。さらに、AfMgfAは2つのヒスチジン残基と1つのグルタミン残基によってマンガンイオンを配位しており，新規な金属結合モチーフを持つことが明らかになった。