Overexpression of yeast YLR177w gene provides tolerance to antifungal drug tioconazole

Abstract

Aim: To find genes that provide resistance to antifungal drug tioconazole by a genomic DNA screening approach.

Materials and Methods: Wild-type yeast (BY4741) cells were transformed with a high copy genomic DNA expression library and transformants that can grow on toxic levels of Tioconazole were determined. Library plasmids were isolated from the transformants and sequenced for the identification of potential tioconazole resistance gene(s).

Results: Yeast YLR177w gene was isolated as a potential tioconazole resistance gene. Its overexpression led cells to tolerate normally toxic levels of tioconazole. Deletion of the YLR177w gene from the yeast genome made cells more vulnerable to the drug.

Conclusions: Yeast YLR177w gene encodes a putative protein of unknown function. Our analyses suggest a potential function for the YLR177w gene for tioconazole resistance.