Ex-chitin-g news on drug-induced fungal epitope unmasking

Review Microbiology

Architecture of the dynamic fungal cell wall

Neil A. R. Cow et al.

Summary: The fungal cell wall is crucial for the growth and survival of fungi and is targeted by antifungal drugs and the immune system. The inner wall of most fungi is made up of chitin and beta-glucans, while the outer wall is composed of a variety of polymers and glycosylated proteins. Understanding the organization of fungal cell walls can lead to the development of diagnostics and drugs for combating fungal infections.

NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY (2023)

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Article Microbiology

Caspofungin-induced beta(1,3)-glucan exposure in Candida albicans is driven by increased chitin levels

Andrew S. Wagner et al.

Summary: To effectively induce disease, Candida albicans masks immunogenic β(1,3)-glucan epitopes within its cell wall under a layer of mannosylated glycoproteins. Treatment with the antifungal drug caspofungin enhances the exposure (unmasking) of β(1,3)-glucan, making the fungal cells more visible to the host immune system and attenuating disease progression. Our study reveals a correlation between increased chitin synthesis and β(1,3)-glucan unmasking in response to caspofungin, suggesting that altered chitin synthesis drives increased unmasking during drug exposure.

MBIO (2023)

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Article Genetics & Heredity

Cek1 regulates β(1,3)-glucan exposure through calcineurin effectors in Candida albicans

Andrew S. Wagner et al.

Summary: The fungal pathogen Candida albicans regulates the exposure of the antigen beta(1,3)-glucan to the host immune system through masking or unmasking. The phosphatase calcineurin plays a key role in mediating the unmasking of beta(1,3)-glucan in response to specific signals. The loss of genes involved in unmasking attenuate the virulence of C. albicans.

PLOS GENETICS (2022)

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Review Mycology

When Is It Appropriate to Take Off the Mask? Signaling Pathways That Regulate ss(1,3)-Glucan Exposure in Candida albicans

Tian Chen et al.

Summary: The exposure of (1,3)-glucan plays a crucial role in anti-fungal immunity, and changes in the levels of surface exposed (1,3)-glucan can be induced by environmental stimuli and stressors within the host. Understanding the signal transduction cascades that regulate the changes in (1,3)-glucan exposure is critical for future therapeutic development.

FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY (2022)

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Review Biochemistry & Molecular Biology