RESUMO
Objective To investigate the role of SDH2 gene in the environmental adaptability of Candida albicans. Methods Wild-type C. albicans strain SC5314, SDH2 gene knockout mutant sdh2Δ/Δ and reintegrated strain sdh2Δ/SDH2 were used as experimental objects. Spot assay was conducted to assess the sensitivity of the WT C. albicans strain SC5314, SDH2 gene knockout mutant sdh2Δ/Δ and reintegrated strain sdh2Δ/SDH2 to external stress stimulants and antifungal drugs. The effect of SDH2 gene deletion on drug efflux ability of C. albicans was determined by rhodamine 6G efflux assay. Results After SDH2 gene deletion, C. albicans showed slight tolerance to cell wall stress stimulants caffeine, oxidative stress stimulators diamide and menadione. Notably, the sensitivity of SDH2 gene knockout mutant sdh2Δ/Δ to azole antifungal drugs was significantly increased. The drug efflux capacity of C. albicans was decreased due to the deletion of SDH2 gene. Conclusion SDH2 gene deletion lead to changes in environmental adaptability of C. albicans, including changes in response to external environmental stress and increased sensitivity to azole antifungal drugs. The development of fungal-specific inhibitor targeting SDH2 gene may lead to the discovery of new antifungal drugs which have synergistic effect with azole drugs.