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Sordarin- An anti-fungal antibiotic with a unique modus operandi

Yutian Shao1,2, Eliza Molestak2, Weike Su1,3,4

  • 1Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.

British Journal of Pharmacology
|November 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

New antifungal compounds are needed due to resistance and toxicity issues. Sordarin offers a unique approach by targeting fungal protein synthesis, specifically inhibiting eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Fungal infections pose significant health risks, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Existing antifungal drugs have limitations including unsatisfactory efficacy, toxicity, and emerging resistance.
  • There is a critical need for novel antifungal agents with improved safety and effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms of antifungal compounds.
  • To highlight sordarin as a unique antifungal agent targeting fungal protein synthesis.
  • To provide a scientific platform for developing new antifungal drugs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current antifungal therapies.
  • Analysis of the molecular action of sordarin.
  • Focus on sordarin's inhibition of protein synthesis at the elongation step.

Main Results:

  • Sordarin uniquely targets the fungal translational machinery.
  • It specifically inhibits eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2).
  • This action disrupts protein synthesis in fungi.

Conclusions:

  • Sordarin represents a promising novel antifungal agent.
  • Its distinct mechanism of action may overcome existing resistance issues.
  • Further research into sordarin and similar compounds is warranted for developing effective antifungals.
Keywords:
eukaryotic translation elongation factor - EEF2 (eEF2)ribosomesordarintranslationtranslational GTPasetranslocation

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