Chaperone protein Hsp90 a possible key in treating in fungal infections caused by Candida albicans

Abstract

With fungal infections on the rise, a clear and decisive treatment is a must. Focusing on Candida albicans and its chaperone protein, Hsp90, there are potential researches that are specific in targeting the protein and discovering its functions in order to cease infections and death. Hsp90 proteins are known to be an effective target in antifungal treatments; however, its direct functions relating to C. albicans are unknown. In laboratories, scientists have discovered that inhibition of Hsp90 will increase the efficacy of important antifungal drugs, including azoles and echinocandins. C. albicans has many virulence traits including, but not limited to, biofilms and morphogenesis. These factors increases the pathogen's ability to adapt and become resistant to drugs. Hsp90 shares a large part in making this possible. With experiments involving model mice and model yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, there is hope in creating a new therapeutic target for Hsp90 and C. albicans.