20682355

not annotated - annotated - LINNAEUS only

PRP8 intein in Ajellomycetaceae family pathogens: sequence analysis, splicing evaluation and homing endonuclease activity.

Inteins are intervening sequences that are transcribed and translated with flanking host protein sequences and then self-excised by protein splicing. Bi-functional inteins also contain a homing endonuclease responsible for their genetic mobility. The PRP8 intein, the most widespread among fungi, occurs in important pathogens such as Histoplasma capsulatum and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, from the Ajellomycetaceae family. Herein, we describe the bi-functional PRP8 intein in two other Ajellomycetacean pathogens, Blastomyces dermatitidis and Emmonsia parva. Sequence analysis and experimental evidence suggest that the homing endonuclease from PbrPRP8 is inactive. The splicing activity of the PRP8 intein from the B. dermatitidis, E. parva and P. brasiliensis species complex was demonstrated in a non-native protein context in Escherichia coli. Since the PRP8 intein is located in a functionally essential nuclear protein, it can be considered a promising therapeutic target for anti-fungal drugs, because inhibition of intein splicing should inhibit proliferation of intein-containing pathogens.



Ann file

T1	Species 460 482	Histoplasma capsulatum

N1 Reference T1 Taxonomy:5037

T2 Species 487 516 Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

N2 Reference T2 Taxonomy:121759

T3 Species 643 667 Blastomyces dermatitidis

N3 Reference T3 Taxonomy:5039

T4 Species 672 686 Emmonsia parva

N4 Reference T4 Taxonomy:73231

T5 Species 845 860 B. dermatitidis

N5 Reference T5 Taxonomy:5039

T6 Species 862 870 E. parva

N6 Reference T6 Taxonomy:73231

T7 Species 875 890 P. brasiliensis

N7 Reference T7 Taxonomy:121759

T8 Species 959 975 Escherichia coli

N8 Reference T8 Taxonomy:562