Two distinct hydrophobin families can be distinguished
on the basis of their sequence, the spacing between the
cysteine residues and the distribution of hydrophobic and
hydrophilic residues along the protein chain. These have been
described as class I and class II hydrophobins and they correspond
to the protein families PFAM PF01185 and PF06766,
respectively. This classification also corresponds with distinct
differences in the physicochemical properties of the amphipathic
monolayers formed by members of the two families.
Recently, additional hydrophobins have been described, which
may form subgroups within these broader classifications.9–12