Open AccessRole of mycobacterial efflux transporters in drug resistance: an unresolved question
Author(s) -
Rossi Edda De,
Aínsa José A.,
Riccardi Giovanna
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
fems microbiology reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.91
H-Index - 212
eISSN - 1574-6976
pISSN - 0168-6445
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2005.00002.x
Subject(s) - efflux , biology , mycobacterium tuberculosis , drug resistance , drug , atp binding cassette transporter , microbiology and biotechnology , multiple drug resistance , transporter , membrane transport protein , tuberculosis , pharmacology , biochemistry , gene , medicine , pathology
Two mechanisms are thought to be involved in the natural drug resistance of mycobacteria: the mycobacterial cell wall permeability barrier and active multidrug efflux pumps. Genes encoding drug efflux transporters have been isolated from several mycobacterial species. These proteins transport tetracycline, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides and other compounds. Recent reports have suggested that efflux pumps may also be involved in transporting isoniazid, one of the main drugs used to treat tuberculosis. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of efflux‐mediated drug resistance in mycobacteria, including the distribution of efflux systems in these organisms, their substrate profiles and their contribution to drug resistance. The balance between the drug transport into the cell and drug efflux is not yet clearly understood, and further studies are required in mycobacteria.