Characterisation of a beta-tubulin gene from the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica.
This study represents the first beta-tubulin sequence from a trematode parasite, namely, the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica. PCR of genomic DNA showed that at least one beta-tubulin gene from F. hepatica contains no introns. A number of amino acids in the primary sequence of fluke tubulin are different from those described previously in various nematode species and the cestode, Echinococcus multilocularis. beta-Tubulin is an important target for benzimidazole anthelmintics, although (with the exception of triclabendazole) they show limited activity against F. hepatica. The amino acid differences in fluke beta-tubulin are discussed in relation to the selective toxicity of benzimidazoles against helminths and the mechanism of drug resistance.
Robinson
M W
MW
School of Biology and Biochemistry, Queen's University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK.
Hoey
E M
EM
Fairweather
I
I
Dalton
J P
JP
McGonigle
S
S
Trudgett
A
A
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D000077682:Triclabendazole; D014404:Tubulin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*
D000871:Anthelmintics; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D014404:Tubulin; D000077682:Triclabendazole