USE OF THE CNKTR3 GENE ENCODING A MANNOSLYTRANSFERASE FOR TREATING MYCOSES BY CRYPTOCOCCUS NEOFORMANS

摘要

The present invention relates to use of a CnKTR3 gene encoding glycosyltransferase to be applied for treating fungal infection by Cryptococcus neoformans. The present invention provides a method for screening an antifungal agent including the steps of: making a cell including CnKTR3 protein contact a test substance; measuring a degree of expression or activity of the CnKTR3 protein in the cell contacting the test substance; and selecting the test substance of which expression or activity of the CnKTR3 protein is reduced by comparing the test substance with a sample of a control group. Moreover, the present invention provides an antifungal and pharmaceutical composition including an inhibitor against expression or activity of the CnKTR3 protein. A homologue to the CnKTR protein does not exist in a human body. Therefore, fungus-specificα1,2-mannosyltransferase is considered to be used as a target, which is very useful for developing an antifungal agent.