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Fungal infections frequently affect immunodeficient individuals and are estimated to kill 1.35 million people per annum. Azole antifungals target the membrane-bound cytochrome P450 monooxygenase lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51; Erg11p). Mutations in CYP51 can render the widely used triazole drugs less effective. The CYP51 mutation G464S and the double mutation Y132F G464S (Y140F and G464S by numbering) as well as the CYP51A G54E/R/W mutations of (G73E/R/W by numbering) have been reproduced in a recombinant C-terminal hexahistidine-tagged version of CYP51 (ScErg11p6×His). Phenotypes and X-ray crystal structures were determined for the mutant enzymes. Liquid microdilution assays showed that the G464S mutation in ScErg11p6×His conferred no difference in the susceptibility of yeast to triazole drugs but in combination with the Y140F mutation gave a 4-fold reduction in susceptibility to the short-tailed triazole fluconazole. The ScErg11p6×His Y140F G464S mutant was unstable during purification and was not crystallized. The ScErg11p6×His G73E/R/W mutations conferred increased susceptibly to all triazoles tested in liquid microdilution assays. High-resolution X-ray crystal structures reveal two different conformations of the ligand itraconazole, including a previously unseen conformation, as well as interactions between the tail of this triazole and the E/W73 residue. This study shows that CYP51 adequately represents some but not all mutations in CYP51s of pathogenic fungi. Insight into the molecular mechanisms of resistance mutations in CYP51 will assist the development of inhibitors that will overcome antifungal resistance.

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Biochemistry Z 0250Over One Hundred Peptide-Activated G Protein-Coupled Receptors Recognize Ligands with Turn Structure -[413 refs.]. -(TYNDALL, J. D. A.; PFEIFFER, B.; ABBENANTE, G.; FAIRLIE*, D. P.; Chem. Rev. (Washington, D. C.) 105 (2005) 3, 793-826; Cent. Drug Design Dev., Univ. Queensland, Brisbane, Queensl. 4072, Australia; Eng.) -Lindner 21-282

8 9 3 1human MAIT cells to TCR and cytokine stimulation. We report that MAIT cells rapidly respond 3 2 to TCR stimulation through the production of multiple effector cytokines and chemokines, 3 3 alteration of their cytotoxic granule content and transcription factor expression, and upregulation 3 4 of co-stimulatory proteins CD40L and 4-1BB. In contrast, cytokine-mediated activation is slower 3 5and results in more limited production of cytokines, chemokines, and co-stimulatory proteins; 3 6 differences in granule content and transcription factor expression are also evident. Therefore, we 3 7 propose that in infections by riboflavin-synthesizing bacteria, MAIT cells play a key early role in 3 8 effecting and coordinating the immune response, while in the absence of TCR stimulation (e.g. 3 9 viral infection) their role is likely to differ. 4 0 4 1