Since there has been a significant increase in disease from pathogenic fungi in humans, antifungal drug development is considered an urgent biochemical task. Researchers have already put on enzymes catalyzing particular steps of related pathways as potential targets for antifungal drug discovery. Recently, Creative Biolabs is ready to provide target identification and validation services for homoserine kinase.
Homoserine Kinase
Homoserine kinase (also known as HSK or Thr1) is an enzyme that catalyzes an essential step in the threonine biosynthesis pathway. HSK belongs to the family of transferases which is part of the GHMP kinase superfamily, particularly those transferring phosphorus-containing groups (phosphotransferases) with an alcohol group as acceptor. It is encoded by the THR1 gene and plays a role in glycine (Gly), serine (Ser) and threonine (Thr) metabolism. Deletion of THR1 has been reported to be lethal in the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans and to attenuate virulence in Candida albicans.
Fig.1 Fungal threonine biosynthetic pathway. (De Pascale, 2011)
Homoserine Kinase as a Target for Antifungal Drug Discovery
Amino acid biosynthesis is considered an attractive antimicrobial target since many of the biosynthetic pathways are absent in mammals. Several studies have provided data evidence that at least some of the enzymes catalyzing particular steps in biosynthetic pathways of amino acid biosynthesis can be successfully discovered as molecular targets for antifungal drugs. HSK is found to catalyze an important step in the threonine biosynthesis pathway, specifically the formation of O-phospho-l-homoserine from l-homoserine (l-Hse) and ATP, which is the fourth step of threonine production. It is also regarded as an exciting potential target for antifungal drug discovery.
Why Choose Us?
To meet the challenging requirements, Creative Biolabs has built a team of experienced scientists with facilities and processes designed specifically to provide the best strategy and protocols customized to suit any antifungal drug discovery projects. We can provide various identification services for Fungal Nucleic Acid and Protein Biosynthesis Targets, including:
In addition to the identification of potential targets for antifungal drug discovery, you might be also interested in other services for Potential Targets for Antifungal Drug Discovery listed below:
If you have any special needs in discovering potential targets for antifungal drugs or be interested in learning more about our antifungal drug discovery services, please feel free to contact us for more details.
Reference
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