Resilience in Resistance: The Role of Cell Wall Integrity in Multidrug-Resistant Candida

The <i>Candida</i> species cell wall plays a pivotal role as a structural and functional barrier against external aggressors and as an intermediary in host–pathogen interactions. <i>Candida</i> species exhibit unique adaptations in their cell wall composition, with varying pr...

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Main Authors: Iván A. Banda-Flores, David Torres-Tirado, Héctor M. Mora-Montes, Gabriela Pérez-Flores, Luis A. Pérez-García
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/4/271
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author Iván A. Banda-Flores
David Torres-Tirado
Héctor M. Mora-Montes
Gabriela Pérez-Flores
Luis A. Pérez-García
author_facet Iván A. Banda-Flores
David Torres-Tirado
Héctor M. Mora-Montes
Gabriela Pérez-Flores
Luis A. Pérez-García
author_sort Iván A. Banda-Flores
collection DOAJ
description The <i>Candida</i> species cell wall plays a pivotal role as a structural and functional barrier against external aggressors and as an intermediary in host–pathogen interactions. <i>Candida</i> species exhibit unique adaptations in their cell wall composition, with varying proportions of chitin, mannans, and β-glucans influenced by the environmental conditions and the morphological states. These components not only maintain cellular viability under osmotic, thermal, and chemical stress, but also serve as the key targets for novel antifungal strategies. MAPK signaling pathways, like the cell wall integrity pathway and the high-osmolarity glycerol pathway, play a crucial role in responding to cell wall stressors. Due to the rise of antifungal resistance and its clinical challenges, there is a need to identify new antifungal targets. This review discusses the recent advances in understanding the mechanisms underlying cell wall integrity, their impact on antifungal resistance and virulence, and their potential as therapeutic targets of <i>C. albicans</i>, <i>N. glabratus</i>, and <i>C. auris</i>.
format Article
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issn 2309-608X
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Journal of Fungi
spelling doaj-art-ef8fb349fece4a04887ffcb8491f9bc72025-08-20T02:28:37ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2025-04-0111427110.3390/jof11040271Resilience in Resistance: The Role of Cell Wall Integrity in Multidrug-Resistant CandidaIván A. Banda-Flores0David Torres-Tirado1Héctor M. Mora-Montes2Gabriela Pérez-Flores3Luis A. Pérez-García4Facultad de Estudios Profesionales Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Romualdo del Campo 501, Fracc. Rafael Curiel, Ciudad Valles 79060, San Luis Potosi, MexicoFacultad de Estudios Profesionales Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Romualdo del Campo 501, Fracc. Rafael Curiel, Ciudad Valles 79060, San Luis Potosi, MexicoDepartamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, Col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato 36050, Guanajuato, MexicoFacultad de Estudios Profesionales Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Romualdo del Campo 501, Fracc. Rafael Curiel, Ciudad Valles 79060, San Luis Potosi, MexicoFacultad de Estudios Profesionales Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Romualdo del Campo 501, Fracc. Rafael Curiel, Ciudad Valles 79060, San Luis Potosi, MexicoThe <i>Candida</i> species cell wall plays a pivotal role as a structural and functional barrier against external aggressors and as an intermediary in host–pathogen interactions. <i>Candida</i> species exhibit unique adaptations in their cell wall composition, with varying proportions of chitin, mannans, and β-glucans influenced by the environmental conditions and the morphological states. These components not only maintain cellular viability under osmotic, thermal, and chemical stress, but also serve as the key targets for novel antifungal strategies. MAPK signaling pathways, like the cell wall integrity pathway and the high-osmolarity glycerol pathway, play a crucial role in responding to cell wall stressors. Due to the rise of antifungal resistance and its clinical challenges, there is a need to identify new antifungal targets. This review discusses the recent advances in understanding the mechanisms underlying cell wall integrity, their impact on antifungal resistance and virulence, and their potential as therapeutic targets of <i>C. albicans</i>, <i>N. glabratus</i>, and <i>C. auris</i>.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/4/271<i>Candida</i>cell walltherapeutic targets<i>Candida albicans</i><i>Nakaseomyces glabratus</i><i>Candida auris</i>
spellingShingle Iván A. Banda-Flores
David Torres-Tirado
Héctor M. Mora-Montes
Gabriela Pérez-Flores
Luis A. Pérez-García
Resilience in Resistance: The Role of Cell Wall Integrity in Multidrug-Resistant Candida
Journal of Fungi
<i>Candida</i>
cell wall
therapeutic targets
<i>Candida albicans</i>
<i>Nakaseomyces glabratus</i>
<i>Candida auris</i>
title Resilience in Resistance: The Role of Cell Wall Integrity in Multidrug-Resistant Candida
title_full Resilience in Resistance: The Role of Cell Wall Integrity in Multidrug-Resistant Candida
title_fullStr Resilience in Resistance: The Role of Cell Wall Integrity in Multidrug-Resistant Candida
title_full_unstemmed Resilience in Resistance: The Role of Cell Wall Integrity in Multidrug-Resistant Candida
title_short Resilience in Resistance: The Role of Cell Wall Integrity in Multidrug-Resistant Candida
title_sort resilience in resistance the role of cell wall integrity in multidrug resistant candida
topic <i>Candida</i>
cell wall
therapeutic targets
<i>Candida albicans</i>
<i>Nakaseomyces glabratus</i>
<i>Candida auris</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/4/271
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