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Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, 492010, India

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Pratima Gupta

*Author for correspondence:

E-mail Address: pguptabiotech@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7651-1040

Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, 492010, India

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Published Online:25 Apr 2023https://doi.org/10.2217/fmb-2022-0143

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Abstract

Secreted aspartyl proteases (SAPs) are important enzymes for fungal pathogenicity, playing a significant role in infection and survival. This article provides insight into how SAPs facilitate the transformation of yeast cells into hyphae and engage in biofilm formation, invasion and degradation of host cells and proteins. SAPs and their isoenzymes are prevalent during fungal infections, making them a potential target for antifungal and antibiofilm therapies. By targeting SAPs, critical stages of fungal pathogenesis such as adhesion, hyphal development, biofilm formation, host invasion and immune evasion can potentially be disrupted. Developing therapies that target SAPs could provide an effective treatment option for a wide range of fungal infections.

Plain language summary

SAPs are enzymes that are important for fungi to cause infections and survive in the host body. This article explains how SAP helps fungi to change their morphology and form a protective layer called a biofilm. SAP also helps fungi invade host cells and break down proteins. Because SAP is present in every stage of fungal infections, it could be a target for new medicines that fight fungal infections and biofilms. By targeting SAP, scientists could stop fungi from adhering to the host, growing into long hyphae, forming biofilms, invading host cells and evading the host immune system. If scientists can develop treatments that target SAP, they may be able to treat a variety of fungal infections more effectively.

Tweetable abstract

SAPs are key enzymes for fungal pathogenicity, facilitating infection, survival and biofilm formation. Targeting SAPs could disrupt critical stages of fungal pathogenesis and provide a potential treatment for a range of infections. #FungalPathogenesis #SAP #AntifungalTherapy.

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Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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Vol. 18, No. 5

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History

Received 15 June 2022

Accepted 20 March 2023

Published online 25 April 2023

Published in print March 2023

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Keywords

Author contributions

P Gupta: mentoring and supervision. A Kulshrestha: data search, curation and writing.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

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Secreted aspartyl proteases family: a perspective review on the regulation of fungal pathogenesis

Abstract

Plain language summary

Tweetable abstract

References