Crithidia fasciculata contains a transcribed leishmanial surface proteinase (gp63) gene homologue.
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Key Findings
Abstract
We have cloned and analysed a gene from the insect parasite, Crithidia fasciculata, with homology to the gp63 metalloendoproteinase gene of Leishmania. The Crithidia gene homologue is arranged as a multicopy family comprised of approximately 7 genes. The mature transcript is 4.0 kb. The predicted amino acid sequence has significant homology with Leishmania gp63s, contains a zinc-binding motif and a potential site for addition of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. Demonstration of a gp63 homologue in C. fasciculata, a monogenetic parasite, suggests that the molecule may play a role in parasite survival within the insect gut.
Affiliation
Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021.
External References
- PubMed ID:
- 8426615
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