The fungal plasma membrane H+-ATPase (Pma1) pumps protons out of the cell to maintain the transmembrane electrochemical gradient and membrane potential. As an essential P-type ATPase uniquely found in fungi and plants, Pma1 is an attractive antifungal drug target. Two recent Cryo-EM studies on Pma1 have revealed its hexameric architecture, autoinhibitory and activation mechanisms, and proton transport mechanism. These structures provide new perspectives for the development of antifungal drugs targeting Pma1. In this article, we review the history of Pma1 structure determination, the latest structural insights into Pma1, and drug discoveries targeting Pma1.
Keywords: drug target; fungi; plasma membrane H+-ATPase; structure.