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Developing novel antifungals: lessons from G protein-coupled receptors
Vaithish Velazhahan1, Bethany L McCann2, Elaine Bignell2
1Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.
Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
|February 21, 2023
Summary
Antifungal drug resistance is a global health emergency. This study explores G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-like proteins as novel targets to accelerate the discovery of new antifungal drugs.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Drug discovery
- Mycology
Background:
- Fungal infections cause 1.5 million deaths annually.
- Limited antifungal drug classes and rising resistance pose a global health emergency.
- The World Health Organization has declared antifungal resistance a critical threat.
Purpose of the Study:
- To accelerate the discovery of novel antifungal drugs.
- To identify and validate new drug targets for fungal infections.
- To explore the potential of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-like proteins in antifungal drug development.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing recent advances in understanding fungal virulence.
- Analyzing the structure determination of yeast GPCRs.
- Highlighting novel approaches for antifungal drug discovery.
Main Results:
- GPCR-like proteins represent promising druggable targets.
- Understanding yeast GPCR biology is advancing.
- New strategies are emerging for antifungal drug development.
Conclusions:
- Targeting GPCR-like proteins could significantly advance antifungal drug discovery.
- Continued research into yeast GPCRs is crucial.
- Novel approaches are essential to combat the rising threat of fungal infections.
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