ANTI FUNGAL DRUG DESIGN CANDIDA ALBICANS DUTPASE

真菌感染正在成为一个日益严重的公共卫生问题。 特别是免疫功能低下的患者或 接受化疗和/或放疗。 两种真菌 关注的是尼日尔和白色念珠菌。 我们所获得 必需的DNA修复酶dUTP焦磷酸酶的晶体 （dUTH）从C.白色念珠菌 会议的结构确定 真菌dUTR，并与人类酶的结构进行比较， 最近在我们的实验室确定，可能允许设计抑制剂 对C.白色念珠菌酶用作抗真菌剂。

Fungal infections are becoming an increasing public health concern, particularly among immune compromised patients or those undergoing chemo- and/or radiotherapy. Two fungi of particular concern are Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. We have obtained crystals of the essential DNA repair enzyme dUTP pyrophosphatase (dUTPase) from C. albicans. Determination of the structure of the fungal dUTPase, and comparison with the structure of the human enzyme, recently determined in our laboratory, may allow design of inhibitors specific for the C. albicans enzyme for use as anti-fungal agents.