BSC2 enhances cell resistance to AmB by inhibiting oxidative damage in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Amphotericin B has been the gold standard for the treatment of invasive mycosis for many years. Its resistance mechanisms are reported to be mainly related to the decrease of ergosterol content or the changes of cell wall. Previous study has shown that Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain lack of BSC2 was sensitive significantly to Amphotericin B. In the present study, the role of BSC2 on Amphotericin B resistance were investigated. We found that BSC2 enhanced the resistance of yeast cells to Amphotericin B, which was not related to cellular ergosterol content. BSC2 can maintain the permeability of mitochondrial membrane and cell membrane integrity by inhibiting the accumulation of intercellular reactive oxygen species and alleviating the production of lipid peroxidation and superoxide radical. These alterations were attributed to the enhancement of the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, and the increased glutathione content. Taken together, BSC2 inhibits oxidative damage induced by Amphotericin B through increasing activities of antioxidant enzymes and levels of GSH to alleviate the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation and superoxide radical, resulting in the maintenance of mitochondrial membrane potential and cell membrane integrity. However, Amphotericin B resistance mediated by BSC2 is independent of Yap1p, GSH1 and Hog1p. The results demonstrate for the first time that BSC2 enhances cell resistance to Amphotericin B by inhibiting oxidative damage in yeast. Our findings improve current understanding of the mechanism of Amphotericin B resistance and provide potential strategy for reducing Amphotericin B resistance.