IngentaConnect Genomics Strategies for Antifungal Drug Discovery

Authors: Willins, D.; Kessler, M.; Walker, S.S.; Reyes, G.R.; Cottarel, G.

Source: Current Pharmaceutical Design, Volume 8, Number 13, 1 June 2002 , pp. 1137-1154(18)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

The use of genomics tools to discover new genes, to decipher pathways or to assign a function to a gene is just beginning to have an impact. Genomics approaches have been applied to both antibacterial and antifungal target discovery in order to identify a new generation of antibiotics. This review discusses genomics approaches for antifungal drug discovery, focusing on the areas of gene discovery, target validation, and compound screening. A variety of methods to identify fungal genes of interest are discussed, as well as methods for obtaining full-length sequences of these genes. One approach is well-suited to organisms having few introns (Candida albicans), and another for organisms with many introns (Aspergillus fumigatus). To validate broad spectrum fungal targets, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as a model system to rapidly identify genes essential for growth and viability of the organism. Validated targets were then exploited for high-throughput compound screening.

Keywords: antifungal; antibacterial; target validation; fungal genes; bacterial genes

Document Type: Review article

DOI: 10.2174/1381612023394890

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$55.10 plus tax Refund Policy

Genomics Strategies for Antifungal Drug Discovery - From Gene Discovery to Compound Screening