Genome architecture drives antifungal resistance in Candida auris
Researchers have discovered that segmental duplication and supernumerary chromosomes contribute to antifungal resistance in the pathogen Candida auris. This finding challenges the traditional mutation-centric view of how drug resistance develops in fungi.
Why it matters
Understanding the genetic mechanisms of antifungal resistance is critical for developing more effective treatments for emerging, life-threatening fungal infections.
Nature Communications ( 2026 ) Cite this article
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Antifungal resistance often results from mutations in drug target genes. However, Narayanan et al. show that segmental duplication and supernumerary chromosomes also contribute to resistance in the emerging fungal pathogen Candida auris . The work expands the genetic basis of antifungal resistance and redefines the mutation-centric paradigm.
A.C. is a Canadian Institute of Advanced Research (CIFAR) fellow. N.S. acknowledges a grant from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR; File No. DDR/IIRP23/3633), Government of India, New Delhi. N.C. acknowledges support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through grant R01AI182977.
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