Metadata analysis of the squalene epoxidase gene in dermatophytes

Fatima Muhammad Ismail; Iqra Ahmad; Eqaza Javed

doi:10.29052/IJEHSR.v9.i1.2021.129-142

Fatima Muhammad Ismail Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur-Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4527-0293
Iqra Ahmad Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur-Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4448-5372
Eqaza Javed Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur-Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4831-555X

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29052/IJEHSR.v9.i1.2021.129-142

Keywords: Squalene Epoxidase, Resistant Mutant, Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton

Abstract

Background: Squalene epoxidase gene is an azole antifungal target enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway in fungi—the inhibition of enzyme aggregate squalene, a type of ergosterol derivative depletion that leads to fungal growth inhibition. Squalene epoxidase widely diverges in three fungal groups of dermatophytes Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton.

Methodology: The study has demonstrated a variety of squalene epoxidase genes in the dermatophyte genome. Squalene epoxidase gene was also studied for possible single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in the Trichophyton group's homologs and found multiple SNP positions that induce non-synonymous mutation and change the sequence of amino acid into protein structure that can change phenylalanine to leucine.

Results: Squalene epoxidase is widely present in dermatophytes. Mutation in the squalene epoxidase gene can mislead normal sterol formation in the fungal cell membrane that induces fungal resistance against several drugs, including azoles and polyenes. Squalene epoxidase gene carries 2 - 3 transcripts and 2 - 3 number of exons. Squalene epoxidase gene has FAD-dependent oxidoreductases and NADP binding domain conserved domains in fungal groups of dermatophytes.

Conclusion: This study analyzed the abundance of the squalene epoxidase gene, suggesting that squalene epoxidase gene-resistant mutants can occur naturally. Thus squalene epoxidase gene should be extensively studied in order to increase the potential of available antifungals.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Teklebirhan G, Bitew A. Prevalence of Dermatophytic Infection and the Spectrum of Dermatophytes in Patients Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Int J Microbiol. 2015;653419(10):13.
2. White TC, Oliver BG, Gräser Y, Henn MR. Generating and testing molecular hypotheses in the dermatophytes. Eukaryot Cell. 2008;7(8):1238-1245.
3. Motavaze K, Namvar Z, Emami M, Noorbakhsh F, Rezaie S. Molecular characterization of a Squalene epoxidase gene in dermatophyte pathogen Trichophyton tonsurans. Iran Biomed J. 2008;12(1):55-58.
4. Saunte DM, Hare RK, Jørgensen KM, Jørgensen R, Deleuran M, Zachariae CO, Thomsen SF, Bjørnskov-Halkier L, Kofoed K, Arendrup MC. Emerging Terbinafine Resistance in Trichophyton: Clinical Characteristics, Squalene Epoxidase Gene Mutations, and a Reliable EUCAST Method for Detection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2019;63(10):e01126-19.
5. Osborne CS, Leitner I, Favre B, Ryder NS. Amino Acid Substitution in Trichophyton rubrum Squalene Epoxidase Associated with Resistance to Terbinafine. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2005;49(7):2840-2844.