Molecular characterization of a Squalene epoxidase gene in dermatophyte pathogen Trichophyton tonsurans.
Trichophyton tonsurans is one of the dermatophyte fungi which invades the skin and hair of human. Several properties of this fungus have been investigated so far. However a few studies were carried out in the field of molecular biology of this fungus. In the present study, we tried to identify the Squalene epoxidase gene which is related to synthesis of ergosterol in this fungus.



Pairs of 23 and 24 nucleotides primers were designed from highly conserved regions of the similar genes in other fungi. Mentioned primers were utilized in PCR by using isolated genomic DNA of T. tonsurans whereas the PCR fragments were then sequenced.



Nucleotides (n = 558) have been sequenced from this new gene which encodes a polypeptide with 186 amino acids. Sequences comparison in gene data banks (NCBI, NIH) for this part of DNA and its deduced amino acid revealed significant homology with members of the eukaryotic Squalene epoxidase.
Motavaze
Kamyar
K
Dept. of Microbiology, School of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Namvar
Zahra
Z
Dept. of Microbiology, School of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Emami
Massoud
M
Dept. of Microbiology, School of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Noorbakhsh
Fatemeh
F
Division of Molecular Biology, Dept.  of Mycology and Parasitology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Rezaie
Sassan
S
Division of Molecular Biology, Dept.  of Mycology and Parasitology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D050603:Squalene Monooxygenase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*
D050603:Squalene Monooxygenase