Azole-Resistance Development; How the Aspergillus fumigatus Lifecycle Defines the Potential for Adaptation

Journal of Fungi

Paul E. Verweij¹  Alfons J. M. Debets²  Jianhua Zhang²  Eveline Snelders² 

[1] Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc-CWZ Center of Expertise for Mycology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 Nijmegen, The Netherlands;Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 Wageningen, The Netherlands;

关键词: Aspergillus fumigatus;    azole resistance;    lifecycle;    adaptation;    recombination;    mutation;   

DOI  :  10.3390/jof7080599

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

In order to successfully infect or colonize human hosts or survive changing environments, Aspergillus fumigatus needs to adapt through genetic changes or phenotypic plasticity. The genomic changes are based on the capacity of the fungus to produce genetic variation, followed by selection of the genotypes that are most fit to the new environment. Much scientific work has focused on the metabolic plasticity, biofilm formation or the particular genetic changes themselves leading to adaptation, such as antifungal resistance in the host. Recent scientific work has shown advances made in understanding the natural relevance of parasex and how both the asexual and sexual reproduction can lead to tandem repeat elongation in the target gene of the azoles: the cyp51A gene. In this review, we will explain how the fungus can generate genetic variation that can lead to adaptation. We will discuss recent advances that have been made in the understanding of the lifecycle of A. fumigatus to explain the differences observed in speed and type of mutations that are generated under different environments and how this can facilitate adaptation, such as azole-resistance selection.

【 授权许可】

Unknown