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Sphingolipid organization in the plasma membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Implication in antifungal mode of action and fungal resistance.

Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa
Project classification

Scientific area

1.6 Biological sciences (Medical sciences go to scientific area 3.n; Agricultural sciences go to scientific area 4.n)

Discipline(s)

Biophysics
Biochemistry and molecular biology
Cell biology, Microbiology
Mycology

Project description

Project title

Sphingolipid organization in the plasma membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Implication in antifungal mode of action and fungal resistance.

Scientific Coordinator's name:

Rodrigo Freire Martins de Almeida

Scientific Coordinator's e-mail:

rfalmeida@fc.ul.pt

Principal R&D Unit:

Centro de Química e Bioquímica (CQB)

Other R&D Units involved in the project:

iMED.UL

Project keyword(s)

Yeast, membrane compartments, lipid rafts, membrane biophysics, nystatin, azoles, fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy, lipid reconstitution, sphingolipid-enriched domains, ergosterol

Short abstract and comments

Sphingolipids are major lipid components of the plasma membrane of eukaryotes and their organization in the plasma membrane is critical for many cellular vital functions. There is evidence implicating sphingolipids in the mechanism of action and resistance to antifungal agents in clinical use. Moreover, fungal resistance to antifungals is an emerging public health problem, many important antifungal agents act on the plasma membrane and sphingolipids are potential therapeutic targets in fungal infections. Despite its recognized importance, sphingolipid organization in the plasma membrane of fungi remains poorly understood, even in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and biophysical studies with yeast sphingolipids are almost inexistent. Thus, the goal of this project is to define the structural features and molecular interactions of sphingolipids which are crucial for the organization of the plasma membrane in S. cerevisiae, establishing the biophysical principles governing sphingolipids role in the mode of action of antifungals and fungal resistance.

Potential uses/indications

During this project it is intended to gather information that can be applied in the development of new antifungal agents and/or antifungal therapeutic formulations, more effective, less toxic for humans, and less prone to induce the emergence of resistance phenomena.

Status

Ongoing

Partner Status: Seeking Partners?

Yes

Project weblink

http://bmn.cqb.fc.ul.pt/

Grant number (QREN, FP7, Eureka, etc)

PTDC/BBB-BQB/6071/2014

Last edited on

2017-02-08 11:01:55

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