Abstract:

Objective To clone the full-length cDNA of Microsporum canis membrane protein PQ-loop repeat protein （PQ-LRP） gene, so as to investigate the roles of PQ-LRP in the pathogenesis of tinea capitis. Methods A Microsporum canis strain （A518） from a patient with tinea capitis served as the experimental strain. Rapid cDNA end amplification （RACE） was performed to clone the full length cDNA sequence of PQ-LRP gene. Bioinformatics methods were used to make a preliminary functional analysis of the gene. Results The cDNA of PQ-LRP gene was obtained with a full length of 1522 bp, including the 5′ untranslated region （49 bp）, coding region （1080 bp） and 3′ untranslated region （393 bp）. The coding region encoded a protein precursor including 359 amino acid residues. The cloned cDNA of PQ-LRP gene shared an 81% nucleotide identity with that of Trichophyton tonsurans and a 79% nucleotide identity with that of Trichophyton rubrum. Conclusions The full-length cDNA of Microsporum canis membrane protein PQ-LRP gene has been successfully cloned, which will provide an important basis for further researches into the roles of PQ-LRP in Microsporum canis-associated diseases.

Key words: SMART-RACE