The Role Of Fcr1p In The Development Of Drug Resistance Of Candida Albicans

Overexpression of Candida drug resistance 1(CDR1) gene in Candida albicans (C. albicans), an efflux pump, is one of the major mechanisms contributing to drug resistance. The molecular mechanism and the gene network regulating the expression of CDR1 and drug resistance are poorly understood. C. albicans for fluconazole resistance 1 protein (Fcr1p) is a member of the family of zinc cluster proteins and our previous study suggested that it maybe participate in fluconazole (FLC) resistance development in C. albicans. So in the present study we investigated the role of Fcr1p in the development of C. albicans azole resistance and possible mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. First we prepared the polyclonal antibody of Fcr1p to detect the expression of Fcr1p. Next, we analysis Fcr1p expression in the development of C. albicans azole resistance, compared with the difference of drug sensitivity and CDR1 expression in the development of C. albicans azole resistance among fcr1 mutant, FCR1 overexpression and their parent strain. Our results showed that Fcr1p inhibited fluconazole (FLC) resistance development in C. albicans through abolishing the induction of CDR1 expression by FLC, and in contrast FLC resistance development was accelerated resulting from the deletion of FCR1.