The antifungal protein family is a
protein family
A protein family is a group of evolutionarily related proteins. In many cases, a protein family has a corresponding gene family, in which each gene encodes a corresponding protein with a 1:1 relationship. The term "protein family" should not be ...
, with members sharing a structure consisting of five
antiparallel beta strands which are highly twisted creating a
beta barrel stabilised by four internal disulphide bridges.
A
cationic site adjacent to a
hydrophobic
In chemistry, hydrophobicity is the chemical property of a molecule (called a hydrophobe) that is seemingly repelled from a mass of water. In contrast, hydrophiles are attracted to water.
Hydrophobic molecules tend to be nonpolar and, thu ...
stretch on the protein surface may constitute a
phospholipid
Phospholipids are a class of lipids whose molecule has a hydrophilic "head" containing a phosphate group and two hydrophobic "tails" derived from fatty acids, joined by an alcohol residue (usually a glycerol molecule). Marine phospholipids typ ...
binding site
In biochemistry and molecular biology, a binding site is a region on a macromolecule such as a protein that binds to another molecule with specificity. The binding partner of the macromolecule is often referred to as a ligand. Ligands may includ ...
.
''Penicillium''
PAF () and PAFB () are two members of PF11402 from ''
Penicillium chrysogenum''. PAF exhibits growth-inhibitory activity against a broad range of filamentous fungi. Evidence suggests that disruption of signaling/homeostasis plays an important role in the mechanistic basis of PAF as a growth inhibitor. PAF also elicits
hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane and the activation of ion channels, followed by an increase in reactive oxygen species in the cell and the induction of an apoptosis-like phenotype
PAF and PAFB are well-tolerated by mamallian and plant cells. They have proposed uses in medicine.
In humans
Human
epithelium
Epithelium or epithelial tissue is a thin, continuous, protective layer of cells with little extracellular matrix. An example is the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. Epithelial ( mesothelial) tissues line the outer surfaces of man ...
produces antifungal protein
S100A7, which is ''not'' a member of this protein family. Instead, S100A7 belongs in the
S100 protein family.
The proteins kill fungi by inducing apoptosis and/or forming pores on the cell membrane.
References
{{InterPro content, IPR022706
Protein families