Analysis of ERG11 gene mutations in fluconazole-resistant Candida glabrata strains / 中华传染病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the mutations of ERG11 gene which encodes P450 lanosterol 14-α demethylase, and to explore the possible role of ERG11 gene in inducing fluconazole resistance in Candida glabrata. Methods ERG11 genes of 9 fluconazole-resistant Candida glabrata isolates and 10 fluconazole-sensitive Candida glabrata isolates were cloned into pUC57-T vector. The open reading frame of ERG11 gene were sequenced by two directional sequencing using universal primers. All sequences were compared with the published sequence. Results Ten kinds of synonymous point mutation were found. Neither missense mutation nor frame-shifting mutation was found. Among the 10 kinds of synonymous point mutation, 5 were found in both fluconazole-resistant and fluconazolesensitive Candida glabrata isolates, and 3 were only found in fluconazole-resistant isolates, 2 were only found in fluconazole-sensitive ones. The majority of the point mutations were located between 1320-2200 base pair of ERG11 gene. Conclusions There are ERG11 gene polymorphisms in clinical strains of Candida glabrata. ERG11 gene mutations are not found to be involved in the development of fluconazole resistance in Candida glabrata.