Title: Characterisation of a β-tubulin gene from the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica
Abstract: This study represents the first β-tubulin sequence from a trematode parasite, namely, the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica. PCR of genomic DNA showed that at least one β-tubulin gene from F. hepatica contains no introns. A number of amino acids in the primary sequence of fluke tubulin are different from those described previously in various nematode species and the cestode, Echinococcus multilocularis. β-Tubulin is an important target for benzimidazole anthelmintics, although (with the exception of triclabendazole) they show limited activity against F. hepatica. The amino acid differences in fluke β-tubulin are discussed in relation to the selective toxicity of benzimidazoles against helminths and the mechanism of drug resistance.
Publication Year: 2001
Publication Date: 2001-09-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
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Cited By Count: 22
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