Ferredoxin Gene Mutation in Iranian Trichomonas vaginalis Isolates.
Heidari، Soudabeh نويسنده Parasitology and Mycology Dept. Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Heidari, Soudabeh , Bandehpour، Mojgan نويسنده , , Seyyed Tabaei، Seyyed Javad نويسنده Department of Medical Parasitology & Mycology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, , , Valadkhani، Zarintaj نويسنده Parasitology Dept. Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. Valadkhani, Zarintaj , Haghighi، Ali نويسنده Department of Medical Parasitology & Mycology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, , , Abadi، Alireza نويسنده Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center (IRHRC),Shahid Beheshti University (Mc.S), Tehran, Iran , , Kazemi، Bahram نويسنده Kavakeb, P
Background: Trichomonas vaginalis causes trichomoniasis and metronidazole is its chosen drug for treatment. Ferredoxin has role in electron transport and carbohydrate metabolism and the conversion of an inactive form of metronidazole (CO) to its active form (CPR). Ferredoxin gene mutations reduce gene expression and increase its resistance to metronidazole. In this study, the frequency of ferredoxin gene mutations in clinical isolates of T.vaginalis in Tehran has been studied.
Methods: Forty six clinical T. vaginalis isolates of vaginal secretions and urine sediment were collected from Tehran Province since 2011 till 2012. DNA was extracted and ferredoxin gene was amplified by PCR technique. The ferredoxin gene PCR products were sequenced to determine gene mutations.
Results: In four isolates (8.69%) point mutation at nucleotide position -239 (the translation start codon) of the ferredoxin gene were detected in which adenosine were converted to thymine.
Conclusion: Mutation at nucleotide -239 ferredoxin gene reduces translational regulatory protein’s binding affinity which concludes reduction of ferredoxin expression. For this reduction, decrease in activity and decrease in metronidazole drug delivery into the cells occur. Mutations in these four isolates may lead to resistance of them to metronidazole.