This book illustrates, that the fungal cell wall is critical for the biology and ecology of all fungi and especially for human fungal pathogens. Readers will learn, that the composition of the fungal cell wall is a unique structure, which cannot be found in the human host. Consequently, the chapters outline, how the immune systems of both animals and humans have evolved to recognize conserved and unique elements of the fungal cell wall. As an application example, the authors also show, that the three-dimensional structures of the cell wall are excellent targets for the development of antifungal agents and chemotherapeutic strategies. With the combination of biological findings and medical outlooks, this volume is a fascinating read for scientists, clinicians and biomedical students.
Fungal Cell Wall: Structure, Synthesis, and Assembly, Second Edition is a compendium of information on the chemical structure, synthesis, and organization of the cell wall of fungi. Reviewing the past 20 years of research in the field, it discusses experimental evidence that demonstrates the role of the cell wall in the growth, development, morphog
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The first book of its kind to focus on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of patients with fungal infections, this definitive reference returns in a completely revised, full-color new edition. It presents specific recommendations for understanding, controlling, and preventing fungal infections based upon underlying principles of epidemiology and infection control policy, pathogenesis, immunology, histopathology, and laboratory diagnosis and antifungal therapy. More than 560 photographs, illustrations, and tables depict conditions as they appear in real life and equip you to identify clinical manifestations with accuracy. Expanded therapy content helps you implement the most appropriate treatment quickly, and a bonus CD-ROM-featuring all of the images from the text-enables you to enhance your electronic presentations. Includes specific recommendations for diagnosing, preventing, and treating fungal infections in various patient populations based upon underlying principles of epidemiology and infection control policy, pathogenesis, immunology, histopathology, and laboratory diagnosis and antifungal therapy. Covers etiologic agents of disease, fungal infections in special hosts such as pediatric patients and patients with cancer and HIV, infections of specific organ systems, and more, to make you aware of the special considerations involved in certain cases. Features clinically useful and reader-friendly practical tools-including algorithms, slides, graphs, pictorials, photographs, and radiographs-that better illustrate and communicate essential points, promote efficient use in a variety of clinical and academic settings, and facilitate slide making for lectures and presentations. Offers a CD-ROM containing all of the book's images for use in your electronic presentations. Offers more clinically relevant images-more than 300 in full color for the first time-to facilitate diagnosis. Features expanded therapy-related content, including up-to-date treatment strategies and drug selection and dosing guidelines. Includes several new sections in the chapter on fungal infections in cancer patients that reflect the formidable clinical challenges these infections continue to present. Presents the work of additional international contributors who have defined many of the key issues in the field, providing more of a global perspective on the best diagnostic and management approaches. Uses a new, full-color design to enhance readability and ease of access to information.
The fungal cell wall is a shield that protects the cells against changes in the extracellular environment, and from the high internal pressure generated during cell growth. These protective attributes are associated with cell wall robustness and strength, but at the same time the wall has to be plastic and dynamic to allow cell growth and communication with the external environment. The main components of the cell wall are sugars, proteins and lipids. Sugars are the most abundant components of the wall, and are mostly present as polysaccharides of glucose (alpha- and beta-glucans), N-acetylglucosamine (chitin), and glucosamine (chitosan). Most of the cell wall proteins are glycoproteins modified by a glycolipid and/or oligosaccharides covalently attached to asparagine (N-linked glycosylation) or serine/threonine residues (O-linked glycosylation). These wall proteins play important roles in cell wall integrity and structure, sensing changes in the extracellular environment, and some of them have adhesive properties and hydrolytic activities.
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.
What makes the fungal cell unique among eukaryotes and what features are shared? This volume addresses some of the most prominent and fascinating facets of questions as they pertain to the growth and development of both yeast and hyphal forms of fungi, beginning with subcellular components – then cell organization, polarity, growth, differentiation and beyond – to the cell biology of spores, biomechanics of invasive growth, plant pathogenesis, mycorrhizal symbiosis and colonial networks. Throughout, structural, molecular and ecological aspects are integrated to form a contemporary look at the biology of the fungal cell.
This book offers a collection of information on successive steps of molecular 'dialogue' between plants and pathogens. It additionally presents data that reflects intrinsic logic of plant-parasite interactions. New findings discussed include: host and non-host resistance, specific and nonspecific elicitors, elicitors and suppressors, and plant and animal immunity. This book enables the reader to understand how to promote or prevent disease development, and allows them to systematize their own ideas of plant-pathogen interactions.* Offers a more extensive scope of the problem as compared to other books in the market* Presents data to allow consideration of host-parasite relationships in dynamics and reveals interrelations between pathogenicity and resistance factors* Discusses beneficial plant-microbe interactions and practical aspects of molecular investigations of plant-parasite relationships* Compares historical study of common and specific features of plant immunity with animal immunity
Laboratory Protocols in Fungal Biology presents the latest techniques in fungal biology. This book analyzes information derived through real experiments, and focuses on cutting edge techniques in the field. The book comprises 57 chapters contributed from internationally recognised scientists and researchers. Experts in the field have provided up-to-date protocols covering a range of frequently used methods in fungal biology. Almost all important methods available in the area of fungal biology viz. taxonomic keys in fungi; histopathological and microscopy techniques; proteomics methods; genomics methods; industrial applications and related techniques; and bioinformatics tools in fungi are covered and complied in one book. Chapters include introductions to their respective topics, list of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting. Each chapter is self-contained and written in a style that enables the reader to progress from elementary concepts to advanced research techniques. Laboratory Protocols in Fungal Biology is a valuable tool for both beginner research workers and experienced professionals. Coming Soon in the Fungal Biology series: Goyal, Manoharachary / Future Challenges in Crop Protection Against Fungal Pathogens Martín, García-Estrada, Zeilinger / Biosynthesis and Molecular Genetics of Fungal Secondary Metabolites Zeilinger, Martín, García-Estrada / Biosynthesis and Molecular Genetics of Fungal Secondary Metabolites, Volume 2 van den Berg, Maruthachalam / Genetic Transformation Systems in Fungi Schmoll, Dattenbock / Gene Expression Systems in Fungi Dahms / Advanced Microscopy in Mycology
This book provides an in-depth overview on the manifold functions of fungal extracellular vesicles (EV) which span from cell-to-cell communication, pathogenicity and stimulation of host’s immunity to export of hundreds of biomolecules. The book summarizes the present knowledge on the impact of extracellular vesicles on fungal biology. Extracellular vesicles participate in fundamental biological processes in all living cells but only during the last 15 years the production and functions of EVs were identified and studied in fungal species too. Up to date more than 50 independent studies have shown that extracellular vesicles are produced by at least 20 fungal species. The book addresses researchers and advanced students in Microbiology, Mycology and Biotechnology.
