Revista de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular Acesso livre

Abstrato

Aspergillus fumigatus: Development of New Drugs and Potential Molecular Targets

Enyara Rezende Morais

Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic and saprophytic fungus that may cause a range of pathological conditions with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis being considered the most severe. The cells of all living organisms are programmed to self-destruct under certain conditions. Apoptosis is the best known way of programmed cell death. In some fungi, its occurrence has been confirmed and related to important biological processes such as development, aging, stress responses and pathogenesis. The apoptosis pathway in A. fumigatus is still poorly understood. New study prospects have emerged in order to combat the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. In this sense, natural products and medicinal plants have great importance in the development of new drugs used in human medicine. The apoptosis has emerged as a key regulator of fungal growth, demonstrating that intermediates of this pathway may be potential targets for new drugs. In addition to this fact, natural products are promising sources of new therapeutic agents discovery.