Cytochrome P-450 in drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

摘要

Methods for the isolation and spectrophotometric determination of cytochrome P-450 in mycobacteria were standardized. Cytochrome P-450 levels were estimated in Mycobacterium tuberculosis organisms sensitive to both isoniazid and rifampicin and resistant to any of the two drugs. Cytochrome P-450 was isolated and its presence was shown in M. smgematis, M. fortuitum, M. chelonae and M. tuberculosis H_(37)Rv. The cytochrome P-450 content was significantly elevated in M. trberculosis, resistant to both isoniazid and rifampicin when compared with the corresponding sensitive strains. It therefore appears that cytochrome P-450 might play a role in causing drug resistance in tuberculosis.