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Glycobiology of Human Fungal Pathogens: New Avenues for Drug Development

Danielle J Lee1, Holly O'Donnell2, Françoise H Routier3

  • 1Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia; Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR), Nikolai-Fuchs Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. danielle.lee2@griffithuni.edu.au.

Cells
|November 2, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are a growing threat. Targeting fungal cell wall glycobiology, specifically nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs), offers a promising strategy for developing novel antifungal treatments and combating drug resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Glycobiology

Background:

  • Invasive fungal infections (IFI) pose a significant global health challenge, exacerbated by compromised immune systems and increasing drug resistance.
  • Fungal spores are ubiquitous, and opportunistic pathogens can cause disease when host defenses are weakened or the normal microbiota is disrupted.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the prevalence and treatment options for IFIs, with a focus on antifungal drug resistance.
  • To elucidate the role of fungal glycobiology, particularly cell wall components, in pathogenicity.
  • To explore nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs) as potential targets for novel antifungal therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current IFI prevalence, treatments, and drug resistance.
  • Analysis of fungal cell wall glycobiology, including polysaccharide and glycoconjugate biosynthesis.
  • Examination of the function and potential inhibition of nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs) in fungal pathogens.

Main Results:

  • Fungal cell wall polysaccharides and glycoconjugates are critical for pathogenicity.
  • Nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs) play a vital role in fungal survival and virulence.
  • Existing antifungal treatments face challenges due to emerging drug resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding fungal glycobiology is key to developing effective IFI treatments.
  • Inhibiting fungal NSTs presents a promising avenue for novel antifungal drug development.
  • Targeting specific molecular pathways, like NSTs, may overcome current antifungal resistance issues.
Keywords:
GDP-MannoseUDP-GalactofuranoseUDP-XyloseUDP-glucuronic acidaspergilluscandidacryptococcusimmunosuppressioninvasive fungal infectionnucleotide sugar transporter

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