A mechanical approach to fungicidal agents: Universal and novel strategies

Heejeong Lee, Dong Gun Lee

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Fungi increasingly cause serious infectious diseases that threaten human health, particularly in immunocompromised populations. Common fungicidal agents increase membrane permeabilization and induce cell wall lysis. Among them, the sterol biosynthesis and quinoneoutside inhibitors are two of the most relevant commercial agents for disease control in the market. Their fungicidal effect is based on inhibition of a cell membrane component and synthesis of ergosterol. Currently, intracellular reactive oxygen species are generated when the balance is disrupted by a fungicidal agent. Thereafter, various apoptotic phenotypes such as phosphatidylserine externalization, caspase activation, DNA and nuclei damage, membrane blebbing, and apoptotic body formation occur in cells. This fungicide-induced apoptosis is related to mitochondrial dysfunction, including mitochondrial membrane depolarization and cytochrome c release. Also, these phenomena reveal antimicrobial peptides, primary effector molecules of innate systems, as highlighting a novel fungicidal agent. Thus, this study might contribute to a better understanding of the fungicidal mechanism and development of urgently needed novel antifungal therapeutics.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationFungicides
Subtitle of host publicationPerspectives, Resistance Management and Risk Assessment
PublisherNova Science Publishers, Inc.
Pages51-68
Number of pages18
ISBN (Electronic)9781536133080
ISBN (Print)9781536133073
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2018

Keywords

  • Antimicrobial peptide
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell wall lysis
  • Fungicidal agent
  • Membrane damage

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