Targeting Adhesion in Fungal Pathogen

Fungal infections with increasing resistance to conventional therapies are a growing concern. is a major opportunistic yeast responsible for mucosal and invasive infections. Targeting the initial step of the infection process (i.e., adhesion to the host cell) is a promising strategy. A wide variety of molecules can interfere with adhesion processes via an assortment of mechanisms. Herein, we focus on how small molecules disrupt biosynthesis of fungal cell wall components and membrane structure, prevent the localization of GPI-anchor proteins, inhibit production of enzymes involved in adhesion, downregulate genes encoding adhesins and competitively inhibit receptor interactions. As a result, adhesion of to host cells is reduced, paving the way to new classes of antifungal agents.