Two Decades of Studying Functional Amyloids in Microorganisms

In the past two decades, amyloids, typically associated with human diseases, have been described to play various functional roles in nearly all life forms. The structural and functional diversity of microbial 'functional amyloids' has dramatically increased in recent years, expanding the canonical definition of these assembled molecules. Here, we provide a broad review of the current understanding of microbial functional amyloids and their diverse roles, putting the spotlight on recent discoveries in the field. We discuss their functions as structural scaffolds, surface-tension modulators, adhesion molecules, cell-cycle and gametogenesis regulators, toxins, and mediators of host-pathogen interactions. We outline how noncanonical amyloid morphologies and sophisticated regulatory mechanisms underlie their functional diversity and emphasize their therapeutic and biotechnological implications and applications.

Automated summary

Functional amyloids in microbes have shown increasing structural and functional diversity in recent years, expanding the traditional definition of these molecules. Their roles include acting as structural scaffolds, modulating surface tension, serving as adhesion molecules, regulating cell cycle and gametogenesis, functioning as toxins, and mediating host-pathogen interactions. The diverse morphologies and sophisticated regulatory mechanisms of noncanonical amyloids underscore their therapeutic and biotechnological potential.