Subtractive Proteome Analysis of Candida albicans Divulges Promising Antifungal Targets

Abstract

Candida albicans is the most common nosocomial systemic fungal infections causing high mortality/morbidity. Existing antifungal treatment regime is feeble due to persistent multiple drug resistance. There is an ardent need for novel drug targets that replace the generic ones is extremely crucial. Subtractive proteomics approach was used for qualitative characterization/identification of possible drug targets. For identification of novel targets, the entire set of proteome of C. albicans (6035 proteins) was collected from NCBI and shortlisted through curtailment proteome analysis. The analysis revealed that only a few proteins were non-homologous to humans whereas some proteins were essential metabolic proteins. The identification of novel protein targets in C. albicans was successfully identified and shortlisted by using a subtractive proteome analysis approach. Among those 64 proteins, authors report that 11 drug targets participated in a pathway leading to virulence. All proteins were recognized as cytoplasmic proteins and could be treated as important/promising antifungal drug targets with putative druggable properties because cytoplasmic proteins are considered as good druggable targets. The novel drug targets that we are reporting in this study will help to broaden and contribute towards promising antifungal therapy and drug discovery against C. albicans infections.