Functional insight into cyclin dependent kinase (CDK)7 via chemical inhibition of the priority fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

Cn commonly affects AIDS patients, organ transplant recipients, and individuals with haematological malignancies, yet current treatments are limited by toxicity or resistance due to prolonged therapy. Given that CDK7 inhibitors kill leukemia cells, and uncontrolled Cn proliferation in host tissues mimics tumor-like growth, we investigated whether their utility as anticancer agents extends to antifungal activity and determining CnCDK7 function.