This perspective aims to discuss the potential physiological roles and regulation mechanisms of the recently identified Candida albicans Wss1 protease important in DNA−protein crosslink (DPC) tolerance and repair. DPC is a bulky DNA lesion that blocks essential DNA transactions; thus, it poses a significant threat to genome integrity if left unrepaired. Discoveries of Wss1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and SPRTN in human as DPC proteases have demonstrated the importance of protease function in DPC repair. Our recent study revealed that Wss1 in C. albicans, an opportunistic pathogen that can cause life-threatening infection in immunocompromised individuals, also promotes DPC tolerance similarly to both S. cerevisiae Wss1 and human SPRTN. However, its molecular mechanism and regulation are still poorly understood. Here, we briefly discuss the recent insights into C. albicans Wss1 based on the information from S. cerevisiae, as well as outline the aspect of this protein that could make it a potential target for antifungal drug development.

该观点旨在讨论最近鉴定出的白色念珠菌Wss1蛋白酶在DNA-蛋白质交联（DPC）耐受性和修复中的潜在生理作用和调控机制。DPC是一种庞大的DNA损伤，可阻止基本的DNA交易。因此，如果不进行修复，它将对基因组完整性构成重大威胁。在酿酒酵母中发现Wss1和在人体内作为DPC蛋白酶发现SPRTN证明了蛋白酶功能在DPC修复中的重要性。我们最近的研究表明，白色念珠菌中的Wss1是一种机会致病菌，可在免疫力低下的个体中引起致命的感染，并且与酿酒酵母相似，它也能促进DPC耐受。Wss1和人类SPRTN。但是，其分子机理和调控仍知之甚少。在这里，我们根据酿酒酵母提供的信息简要讨论对白色念珠菌Wss1的最新见解，并概述该蛋白的方面，使其可能成为抗真菌药物开发的潜在靶标。