Transcriptomic studies on Purpureocillium lilacinum reveal molecular mechanisms of response to fluconazole and itraconazole

Autor(es)

Pedezzi, Rafael ^[1] ; de Biagi Junior, Carlos Alberto Oliveira ^[2] ; de Freitas, Marcela Cristina Correa ^[3] ; da Rosa-Garzon, Nathalia Gonsales ^[1] ; Cabral, Hamilton ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Natl Inst Sci & Technol Stem Cell & Cell Therapy, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Genet, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Blood Ctr Ribeirao Preto, Dept Med Clin, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Brazilian Journal of Microbiology; v. 52, n. 2 MAR 2021.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Filamentous fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum is an emerging pathogen that infects immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals and is resistant to several azole molecules. Although azole resistance mechanisms are well studied in Aspergillus sp. and Candida sp., there are no studies to date reporting P. lilacinum molecular response to these molecules. The aim of this study was to describe P. lilacinum molecular mechanisms involved in antifungal response against fluconazole and itraconazole. Transcriptomic analyses showed that gene expression modulation takes place when P. lilacinum is challenged for 12 h with fluconazole (64 mu g/mL) or itraconazole (16 mu g/mL). The antifungals acted on the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway, and two homologous genes coding for cytochrome P450 51 enzymes were upregulated. Genes coding for efflux pumps, such as the major facilitator superfamily transporter, also displayed increased expression in the treated samples. We propose that P. lilacinum develops antifungal responses by raising the expression levels of cytochrome P450 enzymes and efflux pumps. Such modulation could confer P. lilacinum high levels of target enzymes and could lead to the constant withdrawal of antifungals, which would force an increase in the administration of antifungal medications to achieve fungal morbidity or mortality. The findings in this work could aid in the decision-making for treatment strategies in cases of P. lilacinum infection. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 15/16084-4 - Prospecção de enzimas no fungo Skopulariopsis koningii, utilizando a técnica de proteoma: Produção Recombinante de Enzimas com Potencial Biotecnológico e Avaliação de Antifúngicos
• Beneficiário: Rafael Pedezzi
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 16/20385-2 - Obtenção de peptidases heterólogas para estudos bioquímicos e aplicações biotecnológicas
• Beneficiário: Hamilton Cabral
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular