Abstract:
The increase in clinical infections from pathogenic fungi and the development of drug resistance demonstrates the need for new antifungal agents. We utilized the nonpathogenic bakers yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model for pathogenic fungi such as Candida, spergillus, and Cryptococcus species to characterize possible drug targets. The number of targets for antifungal drugs is limited due to the similarity between fungi and animals; however, the zinc cluster transcription factor Stb5p is fungal specific, making it an ideal target for antifungal agents. The transcriptional regulator Stb5p is a central factor in oxidant sensing and drug resistance. The key targets of Stb5p are genes in the pentose phosphate pathway, a major source of NADPH. Increased production of reactive oxygen species is known to occur following exposure to many antifungal compounds, and the role of Stb5p in the response to antifungal agents may be linked to sensing of oxidants. However, the mechanism leading to activation of Stb5p in response to oxidants and antifungal agents is not known. The aims of this project are to gain insight into potential mechanisms that Stb5p may utilize to sense elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We have examined several possible mechanisms for Stb5p activation including changes in phosphorylation of the DNA binding domain, direct oxidation of cysteine residues, and possible binding of nucleotide cofactors (NADP+). In addition, the regulatory region of Stb5p was mapped to a 78 amino acid region within the central domain (MHR). Based on current results, the best model for Stb5p response to oxidants involves sensing changes in the NADP+/NADPH balance although whether or not Stb5p directly binds to NADP+ has not been determined. Understanding mechanisms through which Stb5p is activated has the potential to assist in the development of therapeutic agents to impair Stb5p function that may act as fungicides or enhance the effectiveness of currently available antifungal drugs.
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