5-fluoro-orotic acid induces chromosome alterations in genetically manipulated strains of Candida albicans

Abstract

We previously reported the occurrence of chromosome alterations in a Candida albicans prototrophic strain 3153A treated with 5-fluoro-orotic acid (5-FOA). In this study we investigated the mutagenic properties of 5-FOA with two derivatives of C. albicans strain CAF4-2 (ura3/ura3), each containing an ectopic copy of URA3 gene (ura3/ ura3 URA3) on a different chromosome. As expected, after the ura3/ura3 URA3 constructs were applied to 5-FOA containing solid medium, the “pop-outs” that lost URA3 appeared. However most of the “pop-outs” acquired various chromosome alterations. Thus constructs exposed to 5-FOA should be examined for chromosome alterations or the use of 5-FOA should be avoided.

• chromosome instability
• 5-FOA resistance
• Ura⁻mutants

This work was supported by NIH research grant AI29433, the James P. Wilmot Cancer Research Fellowship Program and NIH training grant T32 AI07464.