Invasive candidiasis, a yeast infection of the bloodstream, poses a devastating mortality and morbidity rate caused by a pan-drug-resistant pathogen yeast species, Candida, capable of outbreaks. This study investigates novel aerolysin-like toxins identified in the genome of Candida and Saccharomyces. We have found a family of proteins in Candida and Saccharomyces with structural similarities to bacterial aerolysin known for its cytotoxic effects in vertebrates. Bacterial aerolysin are well studied, whereas fungal aerolysin toxins and their effects on humans remain unexplored. Utilizing Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and genomic analysis, this project aimed and confirmed after the extraction of total RNA the expression, of aerolysin-like toxins in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Further endeavors involve investigating the opportunistic human pathogenic yeast C. auris, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis along with other Saccharomyces species. Future cloning of the killer toxin genes (K62L) into plasmids to assess the potential of these toxins in inhibiting the growth of yeasts and as potential virulence factors. Overall, this research aims to address critical gaps in the understanding the potential of fungal aerolysin toxins as novel virulence factors and their importance in mitigating human disease. These findings may contribute to therapeutic approaches against drug-resistant Candida infections.
