This family consists of the beta-glucan synthesis-associated proteins KRE6, SKN1 and Sbg1. Beta1,6-Glucan is a key component of the yeast cell wall, interconnecting cell wall proteins, beta1,3-glucan, and chitin. SKN1 and KRE6 show similarities to glycoside hydrolase family 16 glycoside hydrolases, suggesting that they are glycosyl hydrolases or transglycosylases. They are related with the synthesis and anchorage of cell wall proteins of glucan polymers of the yeast cell wall, although they play redundant roles [1,2]. SKN1, KRE6 and Sbg1 share the SKN1 domain which is conserved in SKN1 and KRE6 proteins of many fungal species. Sbg1 is an integral membrane protein essential for contractile-ring constriction and septum formation during cytokinesis, which interacts with the conserved beta-glucan synthase Bgs1 and regulates its protein levels ans localisation [2,3].

1: Localization of synthesis of beta1,6-glucan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Montijn RC, Vink E, Muller WH, Verkleij AJ, Van Den Ende H, Henrissat B, Klis FM; J Bacteriol 1999;181:7414-7420. PMID:10601196

2: A New Membrane Protein Sbg1 Links the Contractile Ring Apparatus and Septum Synthesis Machinery in Fission Yeast. Sethi K, Palani S, Cortes JC, Sato M, Sevugan M, Ramos M, Vijaykumar S, Osumi M, Naqvi NI, Ribas JC, Balasubramanian M; PLoS Genet. 2016;12:e1006383. PMID:27749909

3: Sbg1 Is a Novel Regulator for the Localization of the beta-Glucan Synthase Bgs1 in Fission Yeast. Davidson R, Pontasch JA, Wu JQ; PLoS One. 2016;11:e0167043. PMID:27898700