Amino acid substitutions in the Candida albicans sterol 5,6-desaturase (Erg3p) confer azole resistance: characterization of two novel mutants with impaired virulence

Abstract

These findings demonstrate the critical role of residue 193 in Erg3p function and azole resistance. We suggest that this attenuated in vivo virulence phenotype could be linked to lower potential for hyphal growth. Taken together, our findings highlight the fact that erg3 mutants must be considered in future studies aiming at investigating azole antifungal drug resistance.