Polymorphism analysis of virulence-related genes among Candida tropicalis isolates

Background: Adhesion, biofilm formation, yeast-hyphal transition, secretion of enzymes, and hemolytic activity are all considered important factors in Candida tropicalis infection. However, DNA sequence data for this pathogen are limited. In this study, the polymorphism and heterogeneity of genes agglutinin-like sequences (ALS)2, Lipase (LIP)1, LIP4, and secretory aspartyl proteinase tropicalis (SAPT)1-4 as well as the relationship between phenotype and genotype were analyzed. Methods: This study started in August 2013, and ended in July 2017. The complete length of ALS2, LIP1, LIP4, and SAPT1-4 of 68 clinical C. tropicalis isolates was sequenced. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as well as insertions and deletions (indels) were identified within these genes. In addition, phenotypic characteristics of the virulent factors, including adhesion and the secretion of aspartyl proteinases and phospholipases, were determined. Results: There were 73, 24, 17, 16, 13, and 180 SNPs in the genes LIP1, LIP4, SAPT1, SAPT2, SAPT3, and SAPT4, respectively. Furthermore, 209 SNPs were identified in total for the gene ALS2. Interestingly, large fragment deletions and insertions were also found in ALS2. Isolate FXCT 01 obtained from blood had deletions on all 4 sites and showed the lowest adhesion ability on the polymethylpentene surface. In addition, isolates with deletions in the regions 1697 to 1925 and 2073 to 2272 bp displayed relatively low abilities for adhesion and biofilm formation, and this phenotype correlated with the deletions found in ALS2. LIP1, SAPT4, and ALS2 displayed great heterogeneity among the isolates. Large deletions found in gene ALS2 appeared to be associated with the low ability of adhesion and biofilm formation of C. tropicalis. Conclusion: This study might be useful for deeper explorations of gene function and studying the virulent mechanisms of C. tropicalis.