ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ARGINASE-ENCODING GENE (ARG) FROM COCCIDIOIDES-IMMITIS

The arginase (ARG)-encoding gene (arg) of Coccidioides immitis, a huma n fungal pathogen, was cloned and sequenced. Both the genomic and cDNA sequences are provided. The transcription start point and poly(A) sit es were confirmed. The alg gene, which was located on chromosome II of C. immitis by Southern hybridization, is a single-copy gene with two introns and a 966-bp ORF which translates a 322-aa protein of 35.1 kDa . The deduced ARG protein showed 44% identity and 68% similarity to th e Saccharomyces cerevisiae ARG.