Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center, van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Glycobiology. 2012 Apr;22(4):456-69. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwr144. Epub 2011 Sep 22.
Galactofuranose (Galf) is the five-membered ring form of galactose. It is widely distributed among several branches of the eukaryotic kingdom. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of the biosynthesis and function of Galf-containing glycoconjugates in fungal Aspergillus spp. and the protozoan trypanosomatid parasites. We give an overview of the biosynthetic pathways leading to the production of glycolipids, glycoproteins and polysaccharides containing Galf in these species and their biological relevance. Remarkably, modification of the cell surface caused by Galf absence often results in morphological abnormalities and an impaired cell wall function in these organisms. Galf-deficient mutants are generally hypersensitive to drugs, exhibit a constitutive osmotic stress phenotype and/or have an attenuated virulence. Since Galf has never been found in mammals and higher plants, Galf-biosynthetic pathways have raised much interest as targets for drug development to combat microbial infections.
半乳糖呋喃糖（Galf）是半乳糖的五元环形式。它广泛分布于真核生物的几个分支中。本文综述了真菌曲霉属和原生动物鞭毛虫寄生虫中 Galf 糖缀合物生物合成和功能的最新研究进展。我们概述了这些物种中产生含有 Galf 的糖脂、糖蛋白和多糖的生物合成途径及其生物学意义。值得注意的是，由于 Galf 缺失引起的细胞表面修饰通常会导致这些生物体的形态异常和细胞壁功能受损。Galf 缺陷型突变体通常对药物敏感，表现出组成型渗透胁迫表型和/或毒力减弱。由于 Galf 从未在哺乳动物和高等植物中发现过，因此 Galf 生物合成途径作为药物开发的靶点，以对抗微生物感染，引起了广泛关注。
