ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the nucleotide sequence of the LACK (Leishmania homologue of receptors for activated protein kinase C) gene of Leishmania donovani isolates from plain foci (L.d SD1) and desert foci (L.d XJ771) of China, and to find out the difference of the sequence of LACK gene with other Leishimania spp. and also the isolate from hill foci of China.. Methods. The LACK genes of L.d SD1 and L.d XJ771 were amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into pUC18 vector respectively, sequenced by the dideoxy chain termination method, then analyzed and compared with that of other isolates.. Results . The LACK genes of the two isolates were successfully cloned. Both of the 2 fragments were 942 bp in length. Comparison of the two nucleotide sequences with that of other Leishmania spp. in GenBank showed that the identities were more than 97%, and the identities of the nucleotide sequences of LACK genes of the three L.d isolates from plain, desert and hill foci of China were more than 95%.. Conclusion . High identities exist among the nucleotide sequences of LACK genes of the three L.d isolates from the three foci of China.