Browsing by Author "Leaw, Shiang Ning"

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Oropharyngeal Colonization of HIV-Infected Outpatients in Taiwan by Yeast Pathogens
(2010-07-01)
Yang, Yun-Liang
;
Hung, Chien-Ching
;
Wang, An-Huei
;
Tseng, Fan-Chen
;
Leaw, Shiang Ning
Among 234 isolates comprising 26 different Candida species colonizing the oropharynx of 181 (54.3% of 399 surveyed) HIV-infected outpatients, 27 (11.7%) were fluconazole resistant. Antibacterial treatment was associated with increased rates of yeast colonization, while antiretroviral therapy and pneumococcal vaccination protected patients from yeast colonization.
R432 is a key residue for the multiple functions of Ndt80p in Candida albicans
(2012-03-01)
Yang, Yun Liang
;
Wang, Chih Wei
;
Leaw, Shiang Ning
;
Chang, Te Pin
;
Wang, I. Chin
Ndt80p is an important transcription modulator to various stress-response genes in Candida albicans, the most common human fungal pathogen in systemic infections. We found that Ndt80p directly regulated its target genes, such as YHB1, via the mid-sporulation element (MSE). Furthermore, the ndt80 (R432A) allele, with a reduced capability to bind MSE, failed to complement the defects caused by null mutations of NDT80. Thus, the R432 residue in the Ndt80p DNA-binding domain is involved in all tested functions, including cell separation, drug resistance, nitric oxide inactivation, germ tube formation, hyphal growth, and virulence. Hence, the importance of the R432 residue suggests a novel approach for designing new antifungal drugs by blocking the interaction between Ndt80p and its targets.