Research Keyword: therapeutic target

Deubiquitinase Ubp5 is essential for pulmonary immune evasion and hematogenous dissemination of Cryptococcus neoformans

Researchers studied a protein called Ubp5 that helps the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans cause disease in humans. By removing this protein, the fungus became much less harmful and the immune system could fight it better. The fungus with the missing protein had problems with its outer coating, couldn’t hide as well from the immune system, and couldn’t spread to the brain. This suggests that blocking Ubp5 could be a new way to help the body defend against this dangerous fungal infection.

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Functional Amyloids in Adhesion of Non-albicans Candida Species

Candida fungi cause common infections and form tough biofilms that resist treatment. These fungi stick to body surfaces using proteins called adhesins that form amyloid-like structures. Researchers found that special peptides can block these amyloid structures in several Candida species, preventing them from sticking to cells and potentially offering a new way to fight these infections.

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Fungal Δ9-fatty acid desaturase: a unique enzyme at the core of lipid metabolism in Aspergillus fumigatus and a promising target for the search for antifungal strategies

Certain dangerous fungal infections like aspergillosis are difficult to treat because current antifungal drugs have significant side effects or the fungi are developing resistance. Scientists have discovered that a specific enzyme called Δ9-fatty acid desaturase, which fungi need to make fats for their cell membranes, has a unique structure different from human cells. This structural difference offers a new opportunity to design antifungal drugs that could kill fungi without harming human cells, potentially providing safer and more effective treatments for serious fungal infections.

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