Datamining and functional environmental genomics reassess the phylogenetics and functional diversity of fungal monosaccharide transporters

Sugar transporters are essential components of carbon metabolism and have been extensively studied to control sugar uptake by yeasts filamentous fungi used in fermentation processes. Based on published information characterized fungal porters, we show that this protein family encompasses phylogenetically distinct clades. While several clades encompass seemingly specialized specific “sugar-related” molecules (e.g., myo-inositol, charged analogs), others include mostly either mono- or di/oligosaccharide low-specificity transporters. To address the issue substrate specificity transporters, primary sequences do not fully reveal, screened “multi-species” soil eukaryotic cDNA libraries for mannose a had never select We obtained 19 environmental from Basidiomycota Ascomycota. Among them, one belonged unusual “Fucose H+ Symporter” family, which is only known Fungi rhamnose transporter Aspergillus niger. Functional analysis expression yeast two them Xenopus laevis oocytes electrophysiological measurements indicated most showed preference d-mannose over other tested d-C6 (glucose, fructose, galactose) d-C5 (xylose) sugars. For glucose fructose-negative growth corresponding recombinant strains was prevented presence these sugars may act competition binding site. Our results highlight potential genomics figure out functional diversity key families can be explored context biotechnology. • Most accept as substrates. Transporters, belonging 2 families, were isolated libraries. Environmental featured novel specificities.