Distinct cell wall molecular architecture of dimorphic Talaromyces marneffei cells revealed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Talaromyces marneffei , causing systemic infections in immunocompromised patients ranging from HIV/AIDS individuals to cancer and transplant recipients, is an increasingly urgent global pathogen. However, the fungus remains underrecognized despite the systemic infection disease talaromycosis caused by this pathogen is associated with high mortality rates. Its pathogenicity depends on a temperature-triggered shift from saprophytic mold (25 °C) to pathogenic yeast (37 °C), and the two growth forms display distinct sensitivity to antifungal drugs, which processes involve extensive cell wall structure and components remodeling. To dissect these processes, we use solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) and other techniques to show that T. marneffei yeast and hyphal cells have distinct cell wall thickness and hydrophobicity, and different assembly of mobile and rigid polymers within the T. marneffei cell wall. The yeast wall was 2.3 times thicker and more hydrated. ssNMR revealed a rigid core of β-1,3-glucans, chitin and chitosan, with β-1,3-glucan rising from 57% in mold to 72% in yeast. Both forms showed tight polysaccharide packing, but only mold exhibited lysine-containing protein interactions with chitin and chitosan. These insights not only map the structural basis of host temperature adaptation and also inform targeted antifungal design in future.