| Summary: | The azoles are the class of medications most commonly used to fight infections caused
by Candida sp. Typically, resistance can be attributed to mutations
in ERG11 gene (CYP51) which encodes the cytochrome P450
14α-demethylase, the primary target for the activity of azoles. The objective of this
study was to identify mutations in the coding region of theERG11
gene in clinical isolates of Candidaspecies known to be resistant to
azoles. We identified three new synonymous mutations in the ERG11
gene in the isolates of Candida glabrata (C108G, C423T and A1581G)
and two new nonsynonymous mutations in the isolates of Candida
krusei - A497C (Y166S) and G1570A (G524R). The functional consequence of
these nonsynonymous mutations was predicted using evolutionary conservation scores.
The G524R mutation did not have effect on 14α-demethylase functionality, while the
Y166S mutation was found to affect the enzyme. This observation suggests a possible
link between the mutation and dose-dependent sensitivity to voriconazole in the
clinical isolate of C. krusei. Although the presence of the Y166S in
phenotype of reduced azole sensitivity observed in isolate C.
kruseidemands investigation, it might contribute to the search of new
therapeutic agents against resistant Candida isolates.
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