An In silico Approach for Molecular Targets in Candida albicans using Prodigiosin-a Bacterial Pigment for Anti-fungal Activity

Author: Gujjeti Chandrakala, Baireddy Vijayapal Reddy and Gurram Shyam Prasad

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Abstract

Drug resistance in Candida sps especially Candida albicans led to increased morbidity and mortality in mankind all over the world. The development of different antifungal drugs with novel targets is the need of the day. The unicellular Candida species are opportunistic pathogens causing simple mucocutaneous to fungemia leading to death in immunocompromised patients. Among different infections caused by Candida, cutaneous candidiasis which is an infection of the skin is alarming. This fungus has survival and virulence factors leading to decreased host immunity response making infection more difficult to control. The increase in fungal resistance necessitates the search for novel antifungal drugs with different mechanisms of action. Hence, in the present investigation, an attempt was made in silico using prodigiosin a bacterial pigment as a ligand to identify different molecular targets in Candida albicans for antifungal activity using fluconazole as a standard reference drug. An advanced docking software Auto Dock was used for the study. Prodigiosin was found to show potent binding affinity to Sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51) followed by Secreted aspartic proteinase (Sap) 5 and Als3 adhesin from Candida albicans compared to the standard reference drug fluconazole. From the above results, it can be concluded that prodigiosin can be a potent drug in treating dermatological problems caused by Candida sps. However, in vitro and in vivo studies are needed for confirmation of Prodigiosin activity.

Keywords

Fluconazole, Prodigiosin, Sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51), Secreted aspartic proteinase (Sap) 5, Als3 adhesin

Conclusion

Development of drug resistance by different fungi is an alarming state and there is an urgent need for novel drug discovery in an ecofriendly and economical way by identifying different fungal targets. In the present study prodigiosin, a bacterial pigment was found to superior in binding to different protein targets of Candida albicans compared to the standard reference drug Fluconazole and the drug likeliness was also was in compliance with the given criteria for oral formulations. Hence, Prodigiosin can be developed as an antifungal drug in treating infections of Candida albicans. However, further investigations are required in vitro and in vivo in confirming these results.

References

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How to cite this article

Gujjeti Chandrakala, Baireddy Vijayapal Reddy and Gurram Shyam Prasad (2023). An In silico Approach for Molecular Targets in Candida albicans using Prodigiosin-a Bacterial Pigment for Anti-fungal Activity. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5): 1576-1583.