Sepideh Farmand Azadeh - Department of Medical Biotechnology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Najmeh Zarei - Department of Medical Biotechnology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Vahid Khalaj - Department of Medical Biotechnology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Azizi - Department of Medical Biotechnology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran

Introduction: Aspergillus fumigatus is the leading cause of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients with a high rate of mortality. Despite introduction of several classes of antifungal drugs, the limitations of current therapies have prompted an intense research toward the discovery of new antifungal compounds. In a recent study, several potential drug targets were identified based on in silico comparative proteome analyses of A. fumigatus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A potential target, capsule polysaccharide synthase۱ (CPS۱) homolog gene, was identified and chosen for further study. Methods: The genome sequence of CPS۱ homolog in A.  fumigatus (AfuCPS۱) was retrieved from the database and analyzed. The RT-PCR analysis was carried out to show the presence of the transcripts. A gene disruption cassette was prepared and subsequently transformed into A. fumigatus strain AF۲۹۳. An AfuCPS۱ disruptant strain was isolated and further analyzed. Results: The AfuCPS۱ gene sequence was annotated, and the signal sequence and a glycosyltransferase motif were identified. The RT-PCR analysis showed that AfuCPS۱ is expressed throughout the life cycle of the fungus. The AfuCPS۱ mutant showed normal colony morphology. Antifungal susceptibility assay of the mutant using different classes of known antifungal drugs confirmed a similar susceptibility pattern to the wild-type strain. However, spore germination was affected, and a delay in germination was observed. Conclusion: The findings showed that the AfuCPS۱ is not essential for the normal growth of A. fumigatus. More investigation is underway to elucidate the physiological role of this gene in spore germination process.

Aspergillus fumigatus, Cell wall, Gene, Spores, Aspergillosis