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 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
Grant number (QREN, FP7, Eureka, etc)
PTDC/BBB-BQB/6071/2014
Last edited on
2017-02-08 11:01:55