Rep1p negatively regulating MDR1 efflux pump involved in drug resistance in Candida albicans

Abstract

Overexpression of MDR1 efflux pump is a major mechanism contributing to drug resistance in Candida albicans, the most common human fungal pathogen. To elucidate the regulatory pathway of drug resistance, we have identified a negative regulator of MDR1 and named it Regulator of Efflux Pump 1 (REP1). Overexpression of REPI in Saccharomyces cerevisiae increased susceptibility to fluconazole. Furthermore, null mutations on REP1 decreased the susceptibility to antifungal drugs in C albicans resulting from increased expression of MDR1 mRNA. Hence, Rep1p is involved in drug resistance by negatively regulating MDR1 in C albicans. (c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.