title: Quantitative analysis of the relative transcript levels of ABC transporter Atr genes in Aspergillus nidulans by real-time reverse transcription-PCR assay.
abstract: The development of assays for quantitative analysis of the relative transcript levels of ABC transporter genes by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) might provide important information about multidrug resistance in filamentous fungi. Here, we evaluate the potential of real-time RT-PCR to quantify the relative transcript levels of ABC transporter Atr genes from Aspergillus nidulans. The AtrA to AtrD genes showed different and higher levels in the presence of structurally unrelated drugs, such as camptothecin, imazalil, itraconazole, hygromycin, and 4-nitroquinoline oxide. We also verified the relative transcript levels of the Atr genes in the A. nidulans imazalil-resistant mutants. These genes displayed a very complex pattern in different ima genetic backgrounds. The imaB mutant has higher basal transcript levels of AtrB and -D than those of the wild-type strain. The levels of these two genes are comparable when the imaB mutant is grown in the presence and absence of imazalil. The imaC, -D, and -H mutants have higher basal levels of AtrA than that of the wild type. The same behavior is observed for the relative transcript levels of AtrB in the imaG mutant background.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. do Café S/N, CEP 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camile Pizeta
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Semighini
authors.forename: Mozart
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marins
authors.forename: Maria Helena S
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: Gustavo Henrique
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Goldman
mesh_terms: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001233:Aspergillus nidulans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D026141:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D000935:Antifungal Agents; C117988:AtrC protein, Aspergillus nidulans; D005656:Fungal Proteins