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HEREDITAS ›› 2011, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (10): 1048-1056.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1005.2011.01048

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Pleiotropic drug resistance ABC transporters in fungi

WANG Qian, CUI Zhi-Feng   

  1. College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
  • Received:2011-04-08 Revised:2011-07-25 Online:2011-10-20 Published:2011-10-25

Abstract: Overexpression of pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) efflux pumps of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily is the major cause of fungal multi-drug resistance and decreased efficacy of antifungal drugs. This review focused on recent progresses in understanding of the PDR efflux pumps of ABC transporter superfamily in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the fungal pathogens Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigates. The mechanisms underlying efflux pump-mediated drug resistance and the regulatory networks involved were discussed. Investigation of the PDR efflux pumps of ABC transporter superfamily and their impact on drug resistance may lead to strategies to overcome fungal multi-drug resistance and improve drug efficacy.

Key words: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, fungal pathogens, pleiotropic drug resistance, ABC transporters