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Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Unfolded Protein Response in HIV-1 Replication and Infectivity
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The unfolded protein response is a potential therapeutic target in pathogenic fungi

Hao Zhou1, Jinping Zhang1,2, Rong Wang1

  • 1School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.

The FEBS Journal
|April 14, 2025
PubMed

Insights

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is crucial for fungal survival under stress and could be a novel antifungal drug target. Understanding fungal UPR mechanisms offers new therapeutic strategies against drug-resistant fungal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Pathogenic fungal infections pose significant health risks, especially to immunocompromised individuals.
  • Emerging multidrug-resistant fungal strains necessitate novel antifungal therapies targeting new molecular pathways.
  • Environmental and host-induced stressors can cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in fungi, impacting their survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comparatively analyze the unfolded protein response (UPR) in fungi and mammals.
  • To explore the potential of UPR as a molecular antifungal target in pathogenic fungi.
  • To identify new therapeutic targets for antifungal treatments by clarifying UPR functions in pathogenic fungi.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of UPR pathways in fungal and mammalian systems.
  • Review of existing literature on UPR regulation, fungal adaptation, virulence, and drug resistance.
  • Examination of UPR's role in pathogenic fungi's response to environmental and cellular stressors.

Main Results:

  • The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a critical cellular defense mechanism activated by ER stress in fungi.
  • UPR plays a significant role in fungal adaptation, virulence, and the development of drug resistance.
  • Differences in UPR regulation between fungi and mammals may offer specificity for antifungal drug development.

Conclusions:

  • The UPR represents a promising molecular target for developing novel antifungal agents.
  • Targeting fungal-specific UPR pathways could overcome existing drug resistance mechanisms.
  • Further research into fungal UPR is essential for discovering effective treatments against pathogenic fungi.
Keywords:
cellular stress responsepathogenic fungusregulatory functionunfolded protein response therapeutic target

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