Cloning and sequencing of the Leishmania major actin-encoding gene

We report the cloning and characterization of the genomic sequence of the actin (Act)-encoding gene (act) from Leishmania major. Restriction maps of two genomic clones, as well as genomic Southern analysis strongly suggest that the act of L. major is a single-copy gene. A single 1.6-kb transcript is detected in Northern blots. The deduced amino-acid sequence shows 68-89% identity with Act sequences from other eukaryotes.