Cation Transporters of Candida albicans-New Targets to Fight Candidiasis?

Biomolecules. 2021 Apr 16;11(4):584. doi: 10.3390/biom11040584.

Abstract

Candidiasis is the wide-spread fungal infection caused by numerous strains of yeast, with the prevalence of Candida albicans. The current treatment of candidiasis is becoming rather ineffective and costly owing to the emergence of resistant strains; hence, the exploration of new possible drug targets is necessary. The most promising route is the development of novel antibiotics targeting this pathogen. In this review, we summarize such candidates found in C. albicans and those involved in the transport of (metal) cations, as the latter are essential for numerous processes within the cell; hence, disruption of their fluxes can be fatal for C. albicans.

Keywords: candida; cation transporters; drug target; pathogen; structural biology; structure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / metabolism
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy*
  • Cation Transport Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cation Transport Proteins / chemistry
  • Cation Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Fungal Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Fungal Proteins