Viral protease inhibitors affect the production of virulence factors in Cryptococcus neoformans

Can J Microbiol. 2012 Jul;58(7):932-6. doi: 10.1139/w2012-075. Epub 2012 Jun 21.

Abstract

The effects of the protease inhibitors saquinavir, darunavir, ritonavir, and indinavir on growth inhibition, protease and phospholipase activities, as well as capsule thickness of Cryptococcus neoformans were investigated. Viral protease inhibitors did not reduce fungal growth when tested in concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 1.000 mg/L. A tendency toward increasing phospholipase activity was observed with the highest tested drug concentration in a strain-specific pattern. However, these drugs reduced protease activity as well as capsule production. Our results confirm a previous finding that antiretroviral drugs affect the production of important virulence factors of C. neoformans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / drug effects*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / enzymology
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / pathogenicity
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal / drug effects*
  • Indinavir / pharmacology
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Ritonavir / pharmacology
  • Saquinavir / pharmacology
  • Virulence Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Virulence Factors
  • Indinavir
  • Saquinavir
  • Ritonavir