Elucidation of substrate specificity in Aspergillus nidulans UDP-galactose-4-epimerase.

ABSTRACT: The frequency of invasive fungal infections has rapidly increased in recent years. Current clinical treatments are experiencing decreased potency due to severe host toxicity and the emergence of fungal drug resistance. As such, new targets and their corresponding synthetic pathways need to be explored for drug development purposes. In this context, galactofuranose residues, which are employed in fungal cell wall construction, but are notably absent in animals, represent an appealing target. Herein we present the structural and biochemical characterization of UDP-galactose-4-epimerase from Aspergillus nidulans which produces the precursor UDP-galactopyranose required for galactofuranose synthesis. Examination of the structural model revealed both NAD(+) and UDP-glucopyranose were bound with

SUBMITTER: Dalrymple SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3792076 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature