Effect of Carbendazim on aflR and norA genes expression in Aspergillus Parasiticus

Introduction: Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi, particularly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, that known as the most dangerous mycotoxin. In the biosynthesis of aflatoxins, aflR and norA genes play an important regulatory role. Carbendazim (C9H9N3O2) is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole antifungal that is used to control plant diseases in cereals and fruits, including citrus, bananas, strawberries, pineapples, and pomes with potential anti mitotic and antineoplastic activities. Although, the exact mechanism of action is not clear. In this study, the effect of Carbendazim was examined on the aflR and norA genes expression in Aspergillus parasiticus.Methods: Aspergillus parasiticus (ATCC 15517) was cultured with 1000, 750, 500, 250. 125, 62.5 and 31.25 mg/L concentration of carbendazim in plates. Antifungal susceptibility of carbendazim was performed according to CLSI document M38-A2 with some modification. Quantitative changes in aflR and norA genes level of expression were analyzed by Real-time PCR method.Result: The result demonstrated that carbendazim which is inhibited A. parasiticus growth at MIC values of 250 mg/ml. According to quantitative real-time PCR results, the rate of norA gene expression was significantly decreased after treating the A. parasiticus with carbendazim compare rate of aflR gene expression.Conclusion: The result of antifungal activity was showed that carbendazim in 250 mg/L had significant inhibitory effect in growth as well as norA gene down exprerssion in A. parasiticus but aflR gene exprerssion is not different to control group. As a result, down regulation genes in A. parasiticus may be as one of the mechanisms of action carbendazim.

کلیدواژه ها:

Aflatoxins ، Aspergillus parasiticus ، Carbendazim