Abstract

DNA fragments homologous to chitin synthase gene were amplified from the genomic DNA of Beauveria brongniartii by PCR using degenerate primers. Cloning and sequencing of the PCR-amplified fragments led to the identification of a gene, designated BbCHS1. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of BbCHS1 with those of other Euacomycetes revealed that quence of BbCHS1 displayed the highest rate of similarity, 95.8%, with CHS2 or Metarhizium anisopliae. Phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequences confirmed the taxonomic and evolutionary position of B. brongiartii, which was previously derived by traditional fungel clasification based on morphological features.

• Keywords: Breauveria brongniartii; chitin synthase gene; PCR; phylogeny