Compensatory expression of multidrug-resistance genes encoding ABC transporters in dermatophytes.

Compensatory expression of multidrug-resistance genes encoding ABC transporters in dermatophytes. J Med Microbiol. 2016 Apr 26; Authors: Martins MP, Franceschini AC, Jacob TR, Rossi A, Martinez-Rossi NM Abstract Genomic sequencing of several dermatophyte species has revealed that they show small differences in genetic content and genome organization, although each fungus has adapted to specific niches. Thus, it seemed relevant to compare gene expression between species. Here, we examined the transcription modulation of three ATP-binding cassettes (ABC) transporters genes (pdr1, mdr2, and mdr4), which code for membrane transporter proteins in four species of Trichophyton, T. interdigitale, T. rubrum, T. tonsurans, and T. equinum. These fungal species were challenged with sub-lethal doses of griseofulvin, itraconazole, terbinafine, and amphotericin B. A mutant strain of T. interdigitale, Δmdr2, was also analysed for the modulation of pdr1, and mdr4 genes to evaluate the possible functional interaction among these three genes. Disruption of the mdr2 gene resulted in the accumulation of high levels of mdr4 transcripts when challenged with griseofulvin, suggesting that the mdr4 gene is compensating for the inactivation of mdr2 by providing resistance to this antifungal. Although the three ABC transporter genes have high homology between the four dermatophytes analysed, it is likely that they have specific functions, suggesting that the a...
Source: Journal of Medical Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: J Med Microbiol Source Type: research