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Updated: Jul 13, 2025

Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
08:48

Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis

Published on: March 19, 2019

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The intricate link between iron, mitochondria and azoles in Candida species

Wouter Van Genechten1, Rudy Vergauwen1, Patrick Van Dijck1

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, Belgium.

The FEBS Journal
|October 17, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Invasive fungal infections are rising, with azoles being a common treatment. This review explores how iron transport impacts azole effectiveness, highlighting a knowledge gap in mitochondrial iron dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Invasive fungal infections are increasing, with Candida species being a major cause of hospital-acquired infections.
  • Azoles are widely used antifungals but have limitations, including fungistatic action and acquired resistance.
  • Combination therapies, particularly with iron-limiting agents, offer a promising therapeutic strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review host iron acquisition and transport pathways.
  • To assess the impact of these pathways on azole susceptibility and tolerance.
  • To link iron transport mechanisms to mitochondrial iron availability and azole treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of host iron metabolism.
  • Analysis of studies on iron transport and antifungal drug interactions.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on iron's role in fungal infections and azole resistance.

Main Results:

  • Iron acquisition and transport pathways can influence azole susceptibility and tolerance.
  • Mitochondrial iron availability is a critical factor in azole efficacy.
  • Novel intracellular iron shuffling mechanisms may exist.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding iron dynamics is crucial for developing effective combination antifungal therapies.
  • Targeting host iron pathways could overcome azole resistance.
  • Mitochondrial iron metabolism in the context of azole treatment represents a significant knowledge gap.
Keywords:
Candida albicansantifungal drug tolerancefluconazoleironmitochondria

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