Resumo

Introduction: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is one of the most important endemic mycosis in Latin America. This mycosis affects primarily the lung and is frequently followed by dissemination to mucosa, skin, adrenals and other organs and systems. Paracoccidioides sp. seems to possess several proteins involved in adhesion, and knowledge of these proteins could advance our understanding of the first steps in establishment of the infection. Proteases and phospholipases have been proposed as one of the strategies used by pathogenic fungi for invasion of the host and establishment of infection. At sites of Paracoccidioides sp infection, direct measurements of oxygen tension have not been recorded, however, it is well established that sites of inflammation contain significantly low levels of oxygen (hypoxia). Human fungal pathogen may survive exposure to stresses during growth in the human host, including oxidative stress, high temperature, hypoxia, and starvation. No studies showing the expression of Paracoccidioides sp adhesins and hydrolytic enzymes under different oxygen atmospheres (5% CO2 and anaerobic condition).The aim of the present study was to assess the gene expression of some virulence factor de Paracoccidiodies sp. We measured the expression level of four genes possibly involved in adhesion and invasion of the fungus to host cells: phospholipase, protease, GP43, 30kDa protein. Materials/Methods: P.lutzii (Pl 01 - ATCC MYA-826) and P.brasiliensis (Pb 18) were used in this study. The strains were cultured in Fava Netto incubated 5 days at a temperature of 37 ° C in aerobic, microaerophilic and anaerobic conditions. After, RNA extractions were performed by the method of Trizol followed by cDNA synthesis. Results: All four genes (GP43, 30kDa protein, phospholipase and protease), had increased expression in microaerophilic and anaerobic conditions compared with growth in oxygen. Conclusion: In fact, switching from aerobic respiration to various forms of anaerobic respiration to deal with low oxygen levels has been implicated as an important virulence attribute in several prokaryotic pathogens. However, in eukaryotic pathogens, mechanisms of how these organisms respond and adapt to hypoxia are largely unknown. In conclusion, oxygen concentration in the environment influences the virulence factors of P.brasiliensis, considering the genes studied.