The gene encoding the metacyclogenesis-associated transcript Mat-1 is conserved in the genus Leishmania and shows a tendency to form dimers upon protein expression
- 25 April 2000
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Nature in Zeitschrift Fur Parasitenkunde-Parasitology Research
- Vol. 86 (5) , 431-435
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s004360050690
Abstract
The Leishmania infantum Mat-1 gene – recently described in L. major as a highly stage-specific, metacyclogenesis-associated transcript – has been cloned. The 420-bp Mat-1 coding region is conserved with respect to the L. major gene (82% sequence homology). Analysis of the predicted amino-acid sequence reveals structural motifs showing homology with the class of leucine-zipper transcription factors. Southern-blot hybridization analysis suggests that Mat-1 is a low-copy-number gene, probably consisting of two gene copies. The recombinant Mat-1 protein expressed in fusion with the Escherichia coli maltose-binding protein shows a tendency to form dimers in the presence of the leucine-rich C-terminal domain. Bacteria expressing the Mat-1 open reading frame are highly growth-attenuated and tend to delete or modify the insert, which suggests that expression of Mat-1 is toxic for the bacteria.Keywords
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