Genes encoding the TFIID TATA-box binding protein (TBP) from two proba
ble species of rat Pneumocystis carinii (prototype and variant) were s
equenced. The two P. carinii TBP gene sequences were 91% identical to
each other, and 65-77% identical to TBP genes from other species. A cD
NA from one of the two P. carinii TBP genes was sequenced, which showe
d that four small introns resided in identical positions within the TB
P genes from the prototype and variant rat P. carinii. Conservation of
the 180 amino acids that constitute the conserved core of TBP was 97%
between the P. carinii TBP, which were 95% and 97% identical to conse
rved core sequences of TBP from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosac
charomyces pombe respectively.