Fungal biomolecules and their implications

Abstract

Fungal pathogenesis requires molecular communication between the fungus and its host. Fungus-plant interactions involve complex developmental processes in which a variety of fungal and plant biomolecules are required to determine whether the outcome is a susceptible reaction (successful fungal colonisation of plant tissue) or a resistant reaction (plant mounting a defence that aborts fungal invasion). To understand the molecular basis of fungal diseases, it is necessary to identify the fungal biomolecules that are essential for pathogenic processes and to distinguish them from molecules that may be present during infection but not critical to its outcome. Some fungal biomolecules are clearly involved in the adhesion and penetration, that is, glycerol, hydrophobin, mucilage, and so on, whereas others are required for colonisation of plant tissue after penetration, that is, toxin that induce susceptibility and resistance and enzymes that inactivate plant defence mechanisms. Recent studies have shown the development of semiconductor nanoparticles, biofilms and biosensors from different fungi such as Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium spp. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. All rights reserved.