Are cytochrome b gene mutations the only cause of atovaquone resistance in Pneumocystis?

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Kaneshiro ES

Are cytochrome b gene mutations the only cause of atovaquone resistance in Pneumocystis?

Drug Resist Updat. 2001 Oct;4(5):322-9.

PubMed ID

11991686 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

There is evidence that exposure of the opportunistic pathogen Pneumocystis to atovaquone enhances the development of resistance to the drug. Atovaquone is a structural analog of ubiquinone, which binds to the mitochondrial cytochrome bc(1) complex and inhibits electron transport. Like the parasites Plasmodium and Toxoplasma, atovaquone resistance can result from mutations in the cytochrome b gene of Pneumocystis. However, atovaquone resistance cannot be explained by cytochrome b gene mutations in all cases. The discovery that atovaquone also inhibits biosynthesis of ubiquinone in P. carinii may unfold other mechanisms by which drug resistance develops.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Atovaquone	Cytochrome b	Protein	Plasmodium falciparum	Yes	Inhibitor	Details