Cloning and Analysis of an Actin-Encoding cDNA from the Dimorphic Pathogenic Fungus Histoplasma capsulatum

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-1997

Department

Biological Sciences

School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Abstract

We have cloned an actin-encoding cDNA from the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, an important pathogen of humans. The predicted amino acid sequence as well as the general codon pattern of Histoplasma actin revealed the highest degree of similarity to the actin of the filamentous ascomycete Aspergillus nidulans. Southern blot analysis determined that actin was encoded by a single copy in the Histoplasma genome. Northern blot analysis showed a single 1700 nt transcript in yeast and mould cells as well as in cells undergoing the temperature induced mould-to-yeast conversion. Actin mRNA levels normalized to 18 S rRNA were found to be equivalent in all the stages examined, except for a sharp four-fold transient decrease 4 h into the mould-to-yeast conversion. These data suggest that actin mRNA would not be a suitable internal marker for expression studies during Histoplasma mould-to-yeast morphogenesis.

Publication Title

Journal of Medical and Veterinary Mycology

Volume

35

Issue

3

First Page

159

Last Page

166

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