Insight into the Physiological and Molecular Crosstalk During Bacterial-Fungal Interactions

Purpose of Review Bacterial-fungal interaction (BFI) is a complex biological crosstalk that influences the ecological processes in the field of agricultural as well as clinical biology. The interplay between bacterial and fungal interaction generates a vast range of chemical signals including secondary metabolites and peptide molecules at the molecular level that can be exploited for novel drug discovery. Recent Findings BFIs are recognized as a key factor, which help in the successful development and maintenance of an interkingdom microbial population. These interactions can change the growth and development of the interacting partners along with the changes in microbial fitness. BFIs affect microbial dispersal, nutrient gaining, and antibiotic resistance and govern vital physiological functions such as sporulation, biofilm formation, hyphal transition, etc. Summary In this review, we highlight the important research in the area of bacterial-fungal interaction and the associated mechanisms through which such interactions are facilitated. We also focus on the experimental suggestions relating to this field to explain the molecular mechanisms of the interacting organisms. This review gives insights into the signaling molecules, antibiotics, effector proteins, microbial metabolites and enzymes involved in specific BFIs that may provide advantages for disease diagnostics and treatment in the field of clinical biology and phytopathology.