International
Tables for Crystallography Volume F Crystallography of biological macromolecules Edited by M. G. Rossmann and E. Arnold © International Union of Crystallography 2006 |
International Tables for Crystallography (2006). Vol. F. ch. 1.3, p. 15
Section 1.3.4.1.4. Fungi
aBiomolecular Structure Center, Department of Biological Structure, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7742, USA |
In general, the human immune system is able to keep the growth of fungi under control, but in immuno-compromised patients (e.g. as a result of cancer chemotherapy, HIV infection, transplantation patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs, genetic disorders) such organisms are given opportunities they usually do not have. Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal organism which causes serious complications in immuno-compromised patients. Several of its proteins have been structurally characterized (Table 1.3.4.3) and provide opportunities for the development of selectively active inhibitors.