Project description:In this study, we designed a novel antifungal agent, PQA-Az-13 that demonstrated antifungal activity against C. auris biofilms. Cellular proteomics indicated that PQA-Az-13 partially or completely inhibited numerous enzymatic proteins in C. auris biofilms, particularly those involved in both amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism processes, as well as in general energy-producing processes. Due to its hydrophobic nature and limited aqueous solubility, PQA-Az-13 was encapsulated in cationic liposomes and characterized by biophysical and spectral techniques. PQA-Az-13 liposomes demonstrated enhanced antifungal activity levels against both C. auris in in vitro biofilms and ex vivo skin colonization models.
