Jeffrey M Rybak, Jinhong Xie, Adela Martin-Vicente, Xabier Guruceaga, Harrison I Thorn, Ashley V Nywening, Wenbo Ge, Ana C O Souza, Amol C Shetty, Carrie McCracken, Vincent M Bruno, Josie E Parker, Steven L Kelly, Hannah M Snell, Christina A Cuomo, P David Rogers, Jarrod R Fortwendel
Triazole antifungals function as ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors and are frontline therapy for invasive fungal infections, such as invasive aspergillosis. The primary mechanism of action of triazoles is through the specific inhibition of a cytochrome P450 14-α-sterol demethylase enzyme, Cyp51A/B, resulting in depletion of cellular ergosterol. Here, we uncover a clinically relevant secondary mechanism of action for triazoles within the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. We provide evidence that triazole-mediated inhibition of Cyp51A/B activity generates sterol intermediate perturbations that are likely decoded by the sterol sensing functions of HMG-CoA reductase and Insulin-Induced Gene orthologs as increased pathway activity...
April 29, 2024: Nature Communications