Fungal transglutaminase domain-containing proteins are involved in hyphal protection at the septal pore against wounding.

Transglutaminase (TG) is a ubiquitous enzyme that crosslinks substrates. In humans, TG participates in blood clotting and wound healing. However, the functions related to the cellular protection of microbial TG are unknown. In filamentous fungi, we previously identified SppB, which contains the transglutaminase core (TGc) domain and functions in hyphal protection at the septal pore upon wounding. Here, we further analyzed the cytokinesis-related protein Cyk3 and peptide N -glycanase Png1, as both contain the TGc domain. All three proteins exhibited functional importance in wound-related hyphal protection at the septal pore. Upon wounding, SppB and AoPng1 accumulated at the septal pore, whereas AoCyk3 and AoPng1 normally localized around the septal pore. The putative Cys-His-Asp catalytic triad of SppB is conserved with the human TGc domain-containing kyphoscoliosis peptidase. Catalytic triad disruptive mutants of SppB and AoCyk3 exhibited septal pore plugging defects. Similar to other TGs, SppB underwent wound-induced truncation of the N-terminal region. Notably, TG activity was detected in vivo at the septal pore of wounded hyphae using a fluorescent-labeled substrate; however, the activity was inhibited by the TG inhibitor cystamine. Our study suggests a conserved role for TGc domain-containing proteins in wound-related protection in fungi, similar to that in humans.