Description
Caspofungin acetate is a lipopeptide antifungal that inhibits the enzyme 1,3-β-Glucan synthase, which synthesizes β-glucan polymers that form fungal cell walls. Caspofungin acetate is active against a variety of Aspergillus and Candida species and unlike many antifungals, is not metabolized by the cytochrome p450 system. The ability of caspofungin acetate to inhibit β-glucan synthesis decreases cell wall mechanical strength, alters cell surface hydrophobicity, and triggers cell aggregation.
References
El-Kirat-Chatel S, Beaussart A, Alsteens D, et al. Nanoscale analysis of caspofungin-induced cell surface remodelling in Candida albicans. Nanoscale. 2013 Feb 7;5(3):1105-15. PMID: 23262781.
Pacetti SA, Gelone SP. Caspofungin acetate for treatment of invasive fungal infections. Ann Pharmacother. 2003 Jan;37(1):90-8. PMID: 12503942.
Mio T, Adachi-Shimizu M, Tachibana Y, et al. Cloning of the Candida albicans homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae GSC1/FKS1 and its involvement in beta-1,3-glucan synthesis. J Bacteriol. 1997 Jul;179(13):4096-105. PMID: 9209021.
