Alkaline protease 1 (Aspergillus fumigatus) (Alp1)

Alkaline protease 1 (Alp1), also known as Asp f 13 or oryzin, is a major extracellular serine protease secreted by the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. It belongs to the subtilisin (S8) family of peptidases and serves as a critical virulence factor by degrading host proteins to facilitate fungal nutrient acquisition and tissue invasion. Alp1 has been identified as a primary mediator of airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in fungal-related asthma, such as severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS). It acts by directly inducing the contraction of airway smooth muscle cells and degrading the extracellular matrix, which leads to structural damage in the lungs. Furthermore, Alp1 promotes immune evasion by cleaving key components of the human complement system, including C3, C4, and C5, thereby inhibiting the host's innate immune response. As a result, Alp1 is considered a promising therapeutic target for the development of novel treatments for aspergillosis and allergic fungal diseases.

Other names

Asp f 13OryzinAlkaline serine protease Alp1AFUA_4G11800

Inhibition of the proteolytic activity of Alp1 to prevent host tissue degradation, airway smooth muscle contraction, and immune evasion via complement cleavage.