Functional insights into fungal F-box protein: From pathogenesis to sustainable economy

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) alter the molecular structure and function of proteins while tightly regulating protein turnover and activity. Eukaryotes exhibit a wide range of PTMs, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, acetylation, glycosylation, methylation, lipidation, and palmitoylation. Ubiquitination, facilitates the degradation of specific substrates through PTMs. This process heavily relies on the SCF complex (SKP1-Cullin-F-box protein) a type of E3 ubiquitin ligase, which plays a crucial role in the recruitment of target substrates for ubiquitination. Apart from substrate degradation, F-box proteins in pathogenic fungi are involved in diverse cellular processes essential for fungal growth and virulence. In this review article, we summarize the functions of various F-box proteins in pathogenic fungi, discussing their roles in cellular functions such as pathogenicity during host infection, transcription and cell cycle progression, endocytic recycling, sexual reproduction, mitochondrial connectivity, and maintenance of circadian rhythm. Furthermore, recent studies have revealed a novel function of fungal F-box proteins in biofuel production via CAZymes, highlighting their industrial significance. This comprehensive review aims to enhance our understanding of the emerging role of F-box proteins in host-pathogen interactions, and it holds broader significance for the scientific community, stimulating new discussions and future investigations in this field.