Abstract: 　Objective]To clone a gene encoding surface protein from Leishmania major .[Methods] Using T cruzi amastin DNA sequence as a reference,computer search was done on GenBank and dbEST databases by using BLAST path. A Leishmania major DNA library has been constructed and screened by in situ colony hybridization.[Results] A 309nt DNA fragment from Leishmania major was found in dbEST. Leishmania major DNA library was screened using specific primers synthesized according to 309 nt DNA sequence, and a full length coding sequence for Leishmania major amastin was cloned. The coding sequence consisted of 552 nt, and translated into 183 amino acid residues. The homology is 23 5% at amino acid sequence level between Leishmania major and T cruzi amastins. [Conclusion] A full length amastin coding gene for Leishmania major has been cloned.

Key words: Leishmania, amastin, GenBank database, gene cloning