Novel Mutation in Efflux Pump Rv1258c (Tap) Gene in Drug Resistant Clinical Isolates of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Iran Publisher Pubmed



Farzaneh S¹ ; Norouzi F² ; Fazeli H¹ ; Salehi M¹ ; Safari M¹ ; Esfahani BN¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Published:2024

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious public health problem worldwide. Drug-resistant TB is considered a major and growing global threat. Despite the great variety of described mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) resistance genes, the mechanisms of drug resistance are still controversial. Recently, a report on the role of efflux pump genes in drug resistance added to this complexity. Therefore, a thorough understanding of efflux pump genes in drug-resistant TB clinical isolates is needed. Methodology: We performed molecular analysis of the efflux pump gene (Rv1258c) in 33 drug-resistant and 20 drug-sensitive clinical MTB isolates by sequencing the amplicons’ targets in both the forward and reverse directions. Results: A novel mutation of the Rv1258c gene was identified at G442A (Ala148Thr) in rifampicin mono-resistant clinical strain, as compared to the H37Rv reference strain. In addition, a cytosine nucleotide insertion was found between the positions 580 and 581 (denominated Tap580) in two drug-sensitive strains at identical gene positions. Conclusions: These results indicated the possibility of mutation in the efflux pump genes and the important role of Tap efflux pump genes in drug-resistant MTB isolates. However, further research is required to determine the direct association of these mutations with resistant MTB. Copyright © 2024 Farzaneh et al.