Progress Towards a Library of Potential Fungicides
Faculty Sponsor
Jeffrey Pruet
College
Arts and Sciences
Department/Program
Chemistry
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Summer 7-29-2019
Abstract
Methionine Synthase (MetSyn) is an enzyme that uses folate and homocysteine to create the amino acid methionine, which is essential for all organisms. There are key differences between the fungal MetSyn enzyme and the mammalian (human) form, especially with regard to the proximity of the two binding sites for folate and homocysteine. Taking advantage of these differences, an antifungal drug could be developed to exclusively bind the fungal enzyme and inhibit fungal growth while leaving the host (patient) unaffected. We are currently exploring the synthesis of various molecules that mimic folate, an essential substrate for MetSyn function. We plan to screen these molecules against a multitude of fungal species as well as in an isolated system with the MetSyn enzyme itself.
Recommended Citation
Van Sickle, Justin; Bockman, Anna; and Pruet, Jeffrey, "Progress Towards a Library of Potential Fungicides" (2019). Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium. 55.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/sires/55
