Regulation of ERG3, ERG6, and ERG11 Genes in Antifungal-Resistant isolates of Candida parapsilosis

Authors
Ensieh Lotfali 1
Ali Ghajari 1
Parivash Kordbacheh 2
Farideh Zaini 2
Hossein Mirhendi 3
Rasoul Mohammadi 3
Fatemeh Noorbakhsh 4
Sassan Rezaie 5
1 Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Varamin-Pishva, Iran
5 Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
10.18869/acadpub.ibj.21.4.275
Abstract
Background: Candida parapsilosis is one of the five common strains of yeasts involved in invasive candidiasis. The expression analysis of sterol biosynthesis pathway genes, which are associated with resistance, can assist the better understanding of antifungal resistance mechanisms. Methods: The antifungal susceptibility of 120 clinical C. parapsilosis isolates was examined. The changes in the gene expression related to resistance were analyzed. Results: Eight strains were resistant to fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole (ITC), and amphotericin B (AMB). The regulation variations included increased mRNA levels of ERG3, ERG6, and ERG11 and decreased mRNA levels of ERG3 and ERG6 in response to FLC. ERG11 mRNA level increases in response to ITC and AMB. Conclusion: The mechanism of resistance to azoles in C. parapsilosis is very similar to C. Albicans. This feature may help to design new treatment strategy for candidiasis.
Keywords
Candida parapsilosis
Gene expression
Ergosterol biosynthesis