Methods for the identification of inhibitors of porphobilinogen deaminase as antibiotics

摘要

The present inventors have discovered that porphobilinogen deaminase (PBG) is essential for normal fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of porphobilinogen deaminase gene expression in fungi abolishes pathogenicity. Thus, porphobilinogen deaminase is useful as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit porphobilinogen deaminase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.