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Article Dans Une Revue Eukaryotic Cell Année : 2014

pH Signalling in Human Fungal Pathogens: a New Target for Antifungal Strategies.

Résumé

: Fungi are exposed to broadly fluctuating environmental conditions, to which adaptation is crucial for their survival. An ability to respond to a wide pH range, in particular, allows them to cope with rapid changes in their extracellular settings. PacC/Rim signalling elicits the primary pH response in both model and pathogenic fungi and has been studied in multiple fungal species. In the predominant human pathogenic fungi, namely Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans, this pathway is required for many functions associated with pathogenesis and virulence. Aspects of this pathway are fungus-specific and do not exist in mammalian cells. In this review, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of PacC/Rim-mediated functions and discuss the growing interest in this cascade and its factors as potential drug targets for antifungal strategies. We focus on both conserved and distinctive features in model and pathogenic fungi, highlighting the specificities of PacC/Rim signalling in C. albicans, A. fumigatus and C. neoformans. We consider the role of this pathway in fungal virulence, including modulation of the host immune response. Finally, as now recognized for other signalling cascades, we highlight the role of pH in adaptation to antifungal drug pressure. By acting on the PacC/Rim pathway, it may therefore be possible (i) to ensure fungal specificity and to limit the side effects of drugs, (ii) to ensure broad-spectrum efficacy, (iii) to attenuate fungal virulence, (iv) to obtain additive or synergistic effects with existing antifungal drugs through tolerance inhibition and (v) to slow the emergence of resistant mutants.

Domaines

Mycologie

Dates et versions

hal-00948267 , version 1 (18-02-2014)

Identifiants

Citer

Muriel Cornet, Claude Gaillardin. pH Signalling in Human Fungal Pathogens: a New Target for Antifungal Strategies.. Eukaryotic Cell, 2014, 13 (3), pp.342-352. ⟨10.1128/EC.00313-13⟩. ⟨hal-00948267⟩
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