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Fungal pathogenesis: A new venom

Nicolas Papon1, Julian R Naglik2, Bernhard Hube3

  • 1Host-Pathogen Interaction Study Group (GEIHP, EA 3142), UNIV Angers, UNIV Brest, F-49933 Angers, France; Federative Structure of Research, Cellular Interactions and Therapeutic Applications, SFR 4208 ICAT, UNIV Angers, F-49933 Angers, France.

Current Biology : CB
|April 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

A novel toxin, mucoricin, is identified as a key driver of organ damage and death in Mucorales fungal infections. This finding sheds light on the pathogenesis of these dangerous emerging fungal diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Emerging fungal pathogens, particularly Mucorales, pose significant threats, causing life-threatening infections.
  • The precise mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these infections are not well understood.
  • Ricin-like protein toxins are known virulence factors in some microorganisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms contributing to the severity of Mucorales infections.
  • To identify novel virulence factors involved in fungal pathogenesis.
  • To elucidate the role of specific toxins in disease progression and mortality.

Main Methods:

  • Identification and characterization of a novel protein toxin from Mucorales.
  • In vitro and in vivo assays to assess the cytotoxic and pathogenic effects of the toxin.
  • Molecular analysis to understand the toxin's mechanism of action.

Main Results:

  • A new ricin-like protein toxin, designated mucoricin, was identified in Mucorales.
  • Mucoricin was found to be directly responsible for inducing organ necrosis.
  • Administration of mucoricin led to increased mortality in experimental models of Mucorales infection.

Conclusions:

  • Mucoricin is a critical virulence factor in Mucorales infections.
  • The toxin plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis, leading to organ damage and death.
  • Targeting mucoricin may offer a therapeutic strategy against severe Mucorales infections.

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