Fungus-specific translation elongation factor 3 gene present in Pneumocystis carinii
Year: 1992
Type: article
Abstract: Historically, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia has been the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with AIDS. Antiprotozoan drugs are effective in the treatment and prophylaxis of P. carinii pneumonia, which lends credence to the widely held view that P. carinii is a protozoan. However, recent genetic evidence suggests that P. carinii should be classified as a fungus. Translation elongation factor 3 (EF-3) is an essential, soluble translation component which is unique to fungal protein synthesis and is not required for protein synthesis in other eukaryotes. We have identified and isolated a gene for EF-3 from P. carinii, adding more evidence for this organism's assignment as a fungus.
Source: Infection and Immunity
Authors: M F Ypma-Wong, W A Fonzi, P S Sypherd
Institution: University of California, Irvine
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1886149949