Cryo-EM structures of Candida albicans chitin synthase Chs1 reveal a druggable translocation channel.

Cryo-EM structures of Candida albicans Chs1 reveal a druggable translocation channel critical for chitin synthesis and inhibition.

• Why it matters: Invasive candidiasis causes high mortality in hospitals, and targeting fungal cell wall synthesis is promising but limited by a lack of detailed structural knowledge of chitin synthases.
• What they did: Researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the structure of CaChs1 at near-3.4 Å resolution, revealing mechanisms of chito-oligomer translocation and how the inhibitor DA blocks the enzyme.
• The result: The study identifies the translocation channel as a promising drug target, with DA showing potent synergy with existing inhibitors, paving the way for rational antifungal drug development.