Role of Aspartic Proteinases in Candida Albicans Virulence. Part I. Substrate Specificity of Aspartic Proteinases and Candida Albicans Pathogenesis Rola Proteazy Aspartylowej W Wirulencji Candida Albicans Część I. Specyficzność Substratowa Proteazy Aspartylowej a Patogeneza Zakażeń Candida Albicans

Candida albicans resides mainly as a harmless commensal in the gastrointestinal tract, vagina and some cutaneous areas of humans. However, in individuals who are immunocompromised or debilitated in some other way, C. albicans is responsible for superficialy-localized or systemic infections. Candida albicans produces a large family of secreted aspartyl proteinases (Saps) which are key virulence factors in C. albicans pathogenesis. Saps contribute to infection by degrading tissue barriers and destroying host defense molecules. !e secretion of Saps varies depending on the C. albicans’ morphologies, the site and stage of infection, and the nature of the host response. !is review the focuses on characteristics and function of the members of aspartyl proteinases, which have been studied in more detail. It should be noted that the discrepancies in individual Sap’s role in the virulence of C. albicans may result from di<erences in the sensitivity of methods used, or di<erences in infection models and stage of the epithelial cells, or variability among C. albicans strains.