Influence of adenylate cyclase in Pleiotropic Drug Resistance Transporter Genes expression after azole exposure and ergosterol content of Rhizopus microsporus

Identifier:  TFG:7946

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG7946

Authors:  Béjar González, Sonia

Abstract:
Mucormycosis, mainly caused by the fungus Rhizopus microsporus, is an opportunistic infection often resistant to azole antifungals. A major acquired resistance mechanism is the upregulation of Pleiotropic Drug Resistance Transporter Genes (pdr), which encode efflux pumps that expel drugs from cells. In other fungi, this mechanism and resistance to azoles have been linked to adenylate cyclase and fungal ergosterol content. This work revealed higher ergosterol amounts in an R. microsporus strain lacking adenylate cyclase without affecting azole susceptibility, along with better adaptation to high itraconazole concentrations and a tendency to upregulate pdr genes expression when exposed to posaconazole and itraconazole.