Isolation of the CHS4 gene of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and its accommodation in a new class of chitin synthases.

The nucleotide sequence of a chitin synthase gene (PbrCHS4) of the dimorphic fungal human pathogen Paracoccidioides brasiliensis has been determined. A homology search with the deduced amino acid sequence of PbrChs4 (1744 aa) reveals the presence of two distinct domains, an N-terminal domain showing up to 30% homology to myosin motor-like domains and a C-terminal domain with up to 68% homology to chitin synthases, as has been reported for some class V chitin synthases. However, unlike class V chitin synthases with myosin motor-like domains, PbrChs4 does not present characteristic signatures of myosin motor-like domains. Also, although the Chs domain presents the closest homology to other fungal class V enzymes, it is low enough to consider PbrChs4 as belonging to a new class, which we propose as class VII.

[Wilms tumor of the adult. Description of a case and review of the literature]. / Tumor de Wilms del adulto. Descripción de un case y revisión de la literatura.

Wilms tumour is an infantile neoplasia with low incidence in adults. Worldwide literature describes 260 cases but only 50 meet the diagnostic criteria described by Kilton. This paper presents one case diagnosed in our service and includes a review of the literature.