Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase or Trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPS1 (trehalose-6-phosphate synthase), TPS2 (trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase))

The **trehalose biosynthetic pathway enzymes** refer most commonly to two key enzymes: **trehalose-6-phosphate synthase** (TPS1, Tps1p) and **trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase** (TPS2, Tps2p). Together, they catalyze the stepwise synthesis of trehalose, a nonreducing disaccharide, from UDP-glucose and glucose-6-phosphate[1][2][3][4]. TPS1 catalyzes the production of trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P), and TPS2 dephosphorylates T6P to yield free trehalose. In fungi, these enzymes may exist as larger multi-protein complexes that include regulatory subunits such as Tps3 and Tsl1[1][3][4]. Trehalose biosynthetic enzymes are **absent in mammals**, making the pathway a validated and highly selective target for antifungal therapies[2][3]. Inhibition of either Tps1 or Tps2 in pathogenic fungi (such as *Candida albicans*, *Cryptococcus neoformans*, and *Aspergillus fumigatus*) impairs stress tolerance, reduces infectivity, and may cause accumulation of cytotoxic intermediates[2][3]. Chemical inhibitors (e.g., validoxylamine A for Tps1) are under investigation and provide potential selective antifungal strategies[5]. This pathway is also found in plants, insects, and bacteria, playing roles in stress adaptation, development, and carbohydrate metabolism[1][3][6]. If needed, specify the particular enzyme (TPS1 or TPS2) for more structured data; "trehalose biosynthetic pathway enzyme" most often refers to these canonical two enzymes.

Other names

Tps1Tps2Tps3 (complex subunit, non-enzymatic in some fungi)trehalose biosynthetic enzymesTPSTPP

Inhibition of trehalose biosynthetic enzymes leads to loss of stress tolerance and cell death in fungi, particularly under host-imposed stresses