A critical barrier to progress in overcoming azole antifungal resistance in Candida albicans is the lack of a complete understanding of its molecular and genetic basis because the known mechanisms of resistance do not fully explain resistance observed among many clinical isolates. Our goal is to advance the treatment of Candida infections by identifying novel azole resistance mechanisms that can be exploited to ultimately overcome this problem. Our central hypothesis is that azole resistance in clinical isolates of C. albicans is multifactorial and involves complex genetic changes that 1) alter azole target binding, 2) activate transcriptional programs that impart resistance, and 3) reduce azole uptake. Our objectives are to 1) delineate the effects of clinically relevant mutations in ERG11, alone and in combination, on the activity of its gene product, fitness, and azole susceptibility, 2) determine the clinical significance of novel Zn(2)Cys6 transcription factors (ZCFs) that influence azole susceptibility, and 3) to discover the determinants of reduced azole import and their contribution to azole resistance in clinical isolates. Our preliminary data suggest that different ERG11 mutations diversely affect sterol demethylase activity, including alterations of catalytic efficiency, target binding kinetics, and reaction velocity. We have also observed that artificial activation of a distinct set of ZCFs in C. albicans increases azole resistance. We have identified azole-resistant clinical isolates that exhibit transcriptional profiles consistent with activation of these ZCFs and that contain candidate activating mutations in these ZCF genes. Finally, we have demonstrated that C. albicans takes up fluconazole by energy- independent facilitated diffusion. We have observed that some azole resistant isolates exhibit reduced fluconazole uptake.
In Aim 1 of this proposal we will undertake genetic, microbiologic, and biochemical studies to dissect the effects of single and combinatorial mutations in ERG11 on sterol demethylase susceptibility, substrate affinity, azole binding, catalytic activity, and fitness.
In Aim 2 we will undertake genetic and microbiologic studies to determine if and how mutations found in the genes encoding novel ZCFs in resistant clinical isolates result in their activation and increased azole resistance.
In Aim 3 we will determine the mechanism of azole antifungal import and its contribution to azole resistance in clinical isolates of C. albicans. Our approach is innovative as we will determine for the first time precisely how mutations in ERG11 influence enzyme activity, dissect combinations of mutations, and determine the impact of such mutations on fitness of C. albicans. This work also explores novel mechanisms of azole resistance. The proposed research is significant as it will provide the understanding needed to ultimately overcome azole resistance through the development of improved azoles, interference with activated ZCFs, and enhancement of azole uptake. By fully understanding the genetic basis of azole resistance it will be possible to eventually develop non-culture based strategies to rapidly and accurately detect azole resistance in clinical isolates.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed research is relevant to public health because the discovery of novel mechanisms of azole antifungal resistance and understanding its genetic basis will ultimately contribute to the development of novel strategies for overcoming azole resistance and improving antifungal therapy. This research is therefore relevant to that part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' mission that pertains to supporting basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious diseases, particularly with regard to the emphasis area of antimicrobial resistance.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI058145-14
Application #
9948552
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Love, Dona
Project Start
2005-06-01
Project End
2022-05-31
Budget Start
2020-06-01
Budget End
2021-05-31
Support Year
14
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
941884009
City
Memphis
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
38103
Whaley, Sarah G; Zhang, Qing; Caudle, Kelly E et al. (2018) Relative Contribution of the ABC Transporters Cdr1, Pdh1, and Snq2 to Azole Resistance in Candida glabrata. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 62:
Luna-Tapia, Arturo; Willems, Hubertine M E; Parker, Josie E et al. (2018) Loss of Upc2p-Inducible ERG3 Transcription Is Sufficient To Confer Niche-Specific Azole Resistance without Compromising Candida albicans Pathogenicity. MBio 9:
Popp, Christina; Hampe, Irene A I; Hertlein, Tobias et al. (2017) Competitive Fitness of Fluconazole-Resistant Clinical Candida albicans Strains. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 61:
Butts, Arielle; Palmer, Glen E; Rogers, P David (2017) Antifungal adjuvants: Preserving and extending the antifungal arsenal. Virulence 8:198-210
Rybak, Jeffrey M; Dickens, C Michael; Parker, Josie E et al. (2017) Loss of C-5 Sterol Desaturase Activity Results in Increased Resistance to Azole and Echinocandin Antifungals in a Clinical Isolate of Candida parapsilosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 61:
Peters, Brian M; Luna-Tapia, Arturo; Tournu, Hélène et al. (2017) An Azole-Tolerant Endosomal Trafficking Mutant of Candida albicans Is Susceptible to Azole Treatment in a Mouse Model of Vaginal Candidiasis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 61:
Whaley, Sarah G; Tsao, Sarah; Weber, Sandra et al. (2016) The RTA3 Gene, Encoding a Putative Lipid Translocase, Influences the Susceptibility of Candida albicans to Fluconazole. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 60:6060-6
Whaley, Sarah G; Berkow, Elizabeth L; Rybak, Jeffrey M et al. (2016) Azole Antifungal Resistance inCandida albicansand Emerging Non-albicans CandidaSpecies. Front Microbiol 7:2173
Berkow, Elizabeth L; Manigaba, Kayihura; Parker, Josie E et al. (2015) Multidrug Transporters and Alterations in Sterol Biosynthesis Contribute to Azole Antifungal Resistance in Candida parapsilosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 59:5942-50
Rybak, Jeffrey M; Marx, Kayleigh R; Nishimoto, Andrew T et al. (2015) Isavuconazole: Pharmacology, Pharmacodynamics, and Current Clinical Experience with a New Triazole Antifungal Agent. Pharmacotherapy 35:1037-51

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