[Cloning and sequence analysis of a gene encoding amastin from Leishmania major].
OBJECTIVE
To clone a gene encoding surface protein from Leishmania major.


METHODS
Using T. cruzi amastin DNA sequence as a reference, computer search was done on GenBank and dbEST databases by using BLAST path. A Leishmania major DNA library has been constructed and screened by in situ colony hybridization.


RESULTS
A 309nt DNA fragment from Leishmania major was found in dbEST. Leishmania major DNA library was screened using specific primers synthesized according to 309 nt DNA sequence, and a full-length coding sequence for Leishmania major amastin was cloned. The coding sequence consisted of 552 nt, and translated into 183 amino acid residues. The homology is 23.5% at amino acid sequence level between Leishmania major and T. cruzi amastins.


CONCLUSIONS
A full length amastin coding gene for Leishmania major has been cloned.
Chen
J
J
Gene Therapy Research Center, Institute of Infectious Diseases, 302 Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100039.
Si
C W
CW
Wang
Q H
QH
Liu
Y
Y
Zhong
Y W
YW
Yang
J Z
JZ
Hong
W G
WG
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D015723:Gene Library; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D016054:DNA, Protozoan