Oxylipins in fungal-mammalian interactions

Abstract

Oxylipins, or oxygenated fatty acids, are potent signaling molecules that assist in orchestrating fungal-mammalian interactions. These molecules are generated by several oxygenases, chiefly lipoxygenases, cyclooxygenases and dioxygenases. The fungal and mammalian oxygenases share many conserved domains resulting in the production of similar and even identical oxylipins. Mammalian oxylipins (more commonly called eicosinoids) are part of the immune response whereas fungal oxylipins direct growth and development of the producing organism. Importantly, oxylipins from both Kingdoms can be perceived and recognized by each organism, impacting fungal-mammalian interactions.